Welcome to a new week! Today is Monday, May 4, 2026, and I’m so glad you’ve joined me here. If you’ve been following along with the daily liturgy, you know that we are still deeply immersed in the joy of the Easter season. But today’s readings offer us something more than just "celebration", they offer us a roadmap for how to live out that joy with humility and power.
The title of today’s reflection comes from the famous opening of Psalm 115: "Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give glory." It’s a short phrase, but it contains an entire philosophy of life. In a world that constantly tells us to "build our brand," "take the credit," and "center ourselves," the Church invites us to do the exact opposite. Today, we’re looking at how the Apostles Paul and Barnabas lived this out in the first reading, and how Jesus prepares us for this lifestyle in the Gospel of John.
Redirecting the Glory: The Lesson of Lystra
Our first reading today takes us to Acts 14:5-18. Paul and Barnabas are on their first missionary journey, and they find themselves in Lystra. While they are preaching, Paul looks at a man who has been crippled from birth and sees that he has the faith to be healed. Paul calls out, "Stand up straight on your feet," and the man jumps up and starts walking.
Now, imagine the scene. The crowd goes wild. But they don't react the way we might expect. Instead of praising God, they revert to their local pagan traditions. They decide that Paul and Barnabas must be gods in human form. They call Barnabas "Zeus" and Paul "Hermes" (because he was the chief speaker). The local priest of Zeus even brings oxen and garlands to the gates to offer a sacrifice to them.
This is a massive "ego trap." Many people, if offered a parade and a sacrifice in their honor, might find a way to justify it. "Well, I did perform a miracle," they might think. But Paul and Barnabas do something radical: they tear their clothes in distress. They rush into the crowd, shouting, "Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings."
This is the first focus point of our reflection: Redirecting the Glory. Paul and Barnabas knew that they were just the pipes; God was the water. When we experience a success, whether it’s a promotion at work, a compliment on our parenting, or a win in our spiritual life, our first instinct is often to soak it up. But the Apostles show us that the healthiest thing we can do for our souls is to immediately hand that praise back to the "living God."
Humility isn't about thinking poorly of yourself; it’s about thinking of yourself less and thinking of the Source more. When we redirect the glory, we protect ourselves from the weight of pride, which is a burden no human was meant to carry.
Love is a Verb: The Definition of Devotion
In the Gospel (John 14:21-26), Jesus gives us a very practical definition of what it means to love Him. He says, "Whoever has my commandments and observes them is the one who loves me."
In our modern culture, we often talk about love as a feeling, a "spark" or an emotional "high." But for Jesus, love is a verb. It is an active, daily choice to align our will with His. This is Love in Action.
Think about it this way: If I tell my friends I love my garden, but I never water it, never weed it, and never plant any seeds, do I really love it? Probably not. I love the idea of a garden, but I don’t love the garden itself. The same applies to our relationship with God. We can say we love Him, we can sing the songs and wear the crosses, but the real proof of our love is found in our obedience. When we choose honesty over a convenient lie, when we choose forgiveness over a grudge, or when we choose to serve rather than be served, we are telling Jesus, "I love You."
You Are Never Alone: Making a Dwelling Place
Jesus follows this up with a promise that is honestly mind-blowing. He says that for those who love Him and keep His word, the Father will love them, and "we will come to him and make our dwelling with him."
Take a moment to let that sink in. The Creator of the galaxies, the Author of life, the One who holds the universe in existence, He wants to "move in" with you. This isn't a temporary visit or a weekend stay. The word "dwelling" implies a permanent home.
This means that You Are Never Alone. Whether you are sitting in a quiet church, stuck in traffic, or dealing with a difficult situation at home, the Trinity is present within you. You are a living temple. This reality changes how we view ourselves and others. If God has made a home in me, then I have access to His strength, His peace, and His perspective at every moment of the day.
Our Inner Teacher: The Gift of the Advocate
Finally, Jesus addresses the reality that following Him can be confusing. Life throws us curveballs, and sometimes we don’t know which commandment applies or how to handle a specific trial. This is why He promises the Holy Spirit, the Advocate.
Jesus says the Holy Spirit will "teach you everything and remind you of all that I told you." I like to think of the Holy Spirit as our Inner Teacher. Have you ever had a moment where a scripture verse suddenly made sense right when you needed it? Or a moment where you felt a "nudge" to reach out to a friend who was struggling? That is the Holy Spirit at work. He is our direct line to the Truth. We don't have to figure out the spiritual life on our own; we just have to learn how to listen to the Advocate's voice.
Connection to the Mission: The Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA)
At The Pontifical Mission Societies, we see these biblical principles lived out in a very tangible way through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle (SPA).
The SPA is specifically dedicated to supporting the formation of local priests and religious sisters in mission territories, places like parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America. These men and women are modern-day Pauls and Barnabases. They are often working in incredibly difficult conditions, bringing the Gospel to their own people.
They understand the "humble mission." They aren't looking for international fame or "Zeus-like" status. They are simply trying to be the hands and feet of Christ in their villages and cities. By supporting their formation, you are helping to ensure that the "Advocate" has a voice in every corner of the globe.
When you help a seminarian complete his studies or a novice sister finish her training, you are literally helping to build a "dwelling place" for God. You are helping to plant the Church in places where people are hungry for the Word. This is one of the most beautiful ways to "keep His word" and participate in the Great Commission. You aren't just giving money; you are participating in the spiritual growth of the global Church.
Reflection for Your Day
As you go about your Monday, I want to leave you with two questions to sit with:
- Is there a success in your life today, even a small one, that you can "hand back" to God in gratitude? Instead of saying "I did a great job," try saying, "Thank you, Lord, for giving me the strength to do that."
- How can you invite the Holy Spirit to teach you something new today? Maybe it’s a moment of silence in the car, or a quick prayer before a meeting: "Holy Spirit, show me how to love the people in this room."
Conclusion
"Not to us, O Lord, but to your name give glory."
Let’s try to walk in that spirit today. Let's be people who redirect the credit, who love through our actions, and who trust that we are never, ever alone because the Spirit dwells within us.
Thank you for being a partner in this mission. Your prayers and your support for our mission students through the Society of St. Peter the Apostle make a world of difference. Please keep our seminarians and sisters in your prayers today as they learn to listen to the Advocate and bring God’s name to the ends of the earth.
Peace and blessings,
Deji
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About The Pontifical Mission Societies
The Pontifical Mission Societies are the Pope's official organ for prayer and sacrifice for the missions. We support the proclamation of the Gospel, the building of churches, and the formation of local clergy and religious in mission territories worldwide.
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