When you think about it, Peter, Paul and the rest of the apostles must have struggled with their new- found power to heal, to forgive sins, to convert the hearts of men.
Not a struggle with their abilities. After all, they were filled with the intensity of the Holy Spirit and were quite confident about what they were teaching.
Rather, their struggle must have been keeping their egos in check.
Reading through the Acts of the Apostles in this Easter season, we continue to hear how great miracles were reported as the Gospel of Jesus was being spread. Often times such miracles were met with amazement and awe.
And sometimes, worship, although not of God.
Today’s reading is a classic example.
We see Paul and Barnabas in Lystra, doing their thing, preaching the Word. Suddenly, after catching a glimpse of a crippled man whose faith was showing, Paul ordered him to “stand up straight on your feet.” And so he did.
The crowds who witnessed this incredible healing began to rejoice that the “gods” had come down into their presence. They called Barnabas “Zeus” and Paul “Hermes” after the Greek pagan gods.
At that very moment, Paul and Barnabas must have been tempted with vanity … with basking in the glow of honor for something they did.
Perhaps they could have simply nodded in agreement with the crowds. They could have made “god-like” demands for praise, for riches and for anything else they might want.
Who knows how long they could have played these people, but probably long enough to fatten their money bags and their pride.
Truly, this is a temptation that many have had to deal with when faced with over-the-top praise and accolades from those who would elevate them to god-like status.
Sometimes, the temptations are too strong to resist. Religious “leaders” give in to the sin of pride and start believing that they – not God – deserve the praise. Once that threshold is crossed, it’s not long before they begin to demand the praise … or at least a lot more “things.”
I’m thinking of the way the followers of certain cults in history – Jim Jones and his “People’s Temple” of followers, whose last act on Earth was to “drink the kool-aid” of death. There have also been some well-known TV evangelists who had risen to grand heights before having their sins of pride exposed. There have been many priests, as well, who have not been able to resist the pull of vanity.
Sometimes the temptation builds up gradually, over time, and is fed by honest words and actions from others. For example, after a good sermon, I like to tell the priest or preacher that I thought they did a good job. No harm in that, right?
Usually the response is a polite thank you and we move on to something else.
One time, a young priest who must have been aware of the temptation to inflate the ego, told me flat out – “It wasn’t me who gave that talk, it was God. I can do nothing without His help.”
At first, I was a little taken aback. Can’t this guy take a compliment? But over time, I came to understand that his response was exactly the response that should be given.
Looking back at Paul and Barnabas in today’s first reading, they rightfully rejected the crowd that wanted to elevate them to god-like status.
“Men, why are you doing this? We are of the same nature as you, human beings. We proclaim to you good news that you should turn from these idols to the living God, who made heaven and earth and sea and all that is in them.”
Nice reply, but it didn’t work. The crowds began to make sacrifices to them.
Even then, people were looking for a hero to worship.
These days, such temptations extend beyond religion. Our society’s leaders, our teachers, our CEO’s and many of our celebrities … they have all had to come to terms with hero-worship. Many have found ways to stay meek and humble. But many have also failed.
And don’t we all rejoice when the mighty fall!
It’s a good learning lesson for all of us when it comes to fighting against the power of the devil.
We have all been taught that the devil is this horrible looking demon that is prowling the streets like a lion, looking to devour poor, hapless souls that wander into his path.
But the truth is this: The most dangerous devils look like us, dress like us and sound like us – especially when they are giving out compliments designed to inflate our ego.
Such spirits need to be kept at arm’s length. And their praises need to be deflected up to God.
As todays Psalm reads:
“Not to us, O LORD, not to us, but to your name give glory because of your mercy, because of your truth.
Why should the pagans say, “Where is their God?” Our God is in heaven; whatever he wills, he does.
Their idols are silver and gold, the handiwork of men.”
