3rd Day of Great Lent
Acts 14:1-18 Bold Humility
Paul and Barnabas in Iconium
14 Now at Ico′nium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue, and so spoke that a great company believed, both of Jews and of Greeks. 2 But the unbelieving Jews stirred up the Gentiles and poisoned their minds against the brethren. 3 So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the people of the city were divided; some sided with the Jews, and some with the apostles. 5 When an attempt was made by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to molest them and to stone them, 6 they learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycao′nia, and to the surrounding country; 7 and there they preached the gospel.
Paul and Barnabas in Lystra and Derbe
8 Now at Lystra there was a man sitting, who could not use his feet; he was a cripple from birth, who had never walked. 9 He listened to Paul speaking; and Paul, looking intently at him and seeing that he had faith to be made well, 10 said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And he sprang up and walked. 11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycao′nian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!” 12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, because he was the chief speaker, they called Hermes. 13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the people. 14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out among the multitude, crying, 15 “Men, why are you doing this? We also are men, of like nature with you, and bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. 16 In past generations he allowed all the nations to walk in their own ways; 17 yet he did not leave himself without witness, for he did good and gave you from heaven rains and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness.” 18 With these words they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.
Humility is often regarded as the antithesis of boldness. In this caricature the humble person doesn’t speak up, doesn’t contradict, doesn’t offend, doesn’t do anything that might ruffle the status quo. But Barnabas and Paul combine boldness and humility.
They preach and debate boldly and with such conviction and authenticity that people listen. Yes, the crowds are divided in their reactions, but that’s to be expected. They’re speaking “for the Lord” and bearing “witness to the word of His grace.” The apostles aren’t looking for a pat on the back. On the contrary, in carrying out their mission they know that they will be angering a lot of their hearers. So be it.
But Paul and Barnabas are also humble. None of God’s signs and wonders and healings working through makes them think of themselves as better than anyone else, much less that they are saints or even gods. In fact they are horrified at being adulated by the pagan crowds and clergy in Lystra. “We also are men, of like nature with you.” How far this is from the inward pride that says, “God, I thank thee that I am not like other men…” (Luke 18:11).
Paradoxically, the apostles’ willingness to just be human beings enhanced their message, and “they scarcely restrained the people from offering sacrifice to them.” True humility, especially from people with great gifts and power, is always attractive. That’s an important message for Orthodox Christian missions.
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In commenting on this passage in Acts Saint John Chrysostom focuses on the humility of apostles in their teaching. It’s not hard to see that Saint John, the great orator, is applying these words to himself and to church life of his day.
Let us imitate them: let us think nothing our own, seeing even faith itself is not our own, but more God’s than ours. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and this,” says Paul, “not of ourselves; it is the gift of God.” (Eph 2:8). Then let us not think great things of ourselves, nor be puffed up, being as we are, men, dust and ashes, smoke and shadow….
There is nothing like humility: this is mother, and root, and nurse, and foundation, and bond of all good things: without this we are abominable, and execrable, and polluted. For say—let there be some man raising the dead, and healing the lame, and cleansing the lepers, but with proud self-complacency: than this there can be nothing more execrable, nothing more impious, nothing more detestable. Account nothing to be of you. Are you able to speak well and have the grace of teaching? Do not because of this think of yourself better than other men. For this cause especially you ought to be humbled, because you have been granted more abundant gifts….
Why do you think great things of yourself? Because you teach by words? But this is easy, to philosophize in words: teach me by your life: that is the best teaching. … For this is a worse mischief, when one who teaches well in words, undermines the teaching by his deeds. This has been the cause of many evils in the Churches. Therefore pardon me, I beseech you, that my discourse dwells long on this evil affection. Many take a deal of pains to be able to stand up in public, and make a long speech: and if they get applause from the multitude, it is to them as if they gained the very kingdom of heaven: but if silence follows the close of their speech, it is worse than hell itself, the dejection that falls upon their spirits from the silence! This has turned the Churches upside down, because both you desire not to hear a discourse calculated to lead you to compunction, but one that may delight you from the sound and composition of the words, as though you were listening to singers and minstrels and we too act a preposterous and pitiable part in being led by your lusts, when we ought to root them out. …
On this account are we evil spoken of even among the Gentiles, as though we did all for display and ostentation. But if this be prevented, the love of the chief seats also will be extinguished. It is sufficient, if any one be enamoured of praise, that he should obtain it after having been heard, when all is gathered in. Yea, I beseech you, let us establish this rule, that doing all things according to God’s will, we may be found worthy of the mercy which is from Him, through the grace and compassion of His only begotten Son our Lord Jesus Christ, with Whom to the Father together with the Holy Spirit be glory, dominion, honor, now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Update
His Beatitude is at Saint Tikhon’s Seminary today to lead the community in a Lenten retreat. He left just the Chancery last night after the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete.
Tonight, like most parishes around the OCA, at Saint Sergius Chapel we will have the first of the Pre-sanctified Liturgies for Great Lent, followed by a Lenten potluck supper.