When an attempt was made in Iconium by both Gentiles and Jews, with their rulers, to mistreat them and to stone them, the apostles learned of it and fled to Lystra and Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and to the surrounding country; and there they continued proclaiming the good news.

In Lystra there was a man sitting who could not use his feet and had never walked, for he had been crippled from birth. He listened to Paul as he was speaking. And Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, “Stand upright on your feet.” And the man sprang up and began to walk. When the crowds saw what Paul had done, they shouted in the Lycaonian language, “The gods have come down to us in human form!” Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul they called Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. The priest of Zeus, whose temple was just outside the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates; he and the crowds wanted to offer sacrifice. When the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their clothes and rushed out into the crowd, shouting, “Friends, why are you doing this? We are mortals just like you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these worthless things to the living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them. In past generations he allowed all the nations to follow their own ways; yet he has not left himself without a witness in doing good—giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, and filling you with food and your hearts with joy.” Even with these words, they scarcely restrained the crowds from offering sacrifice to them.

New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.

I’m pretty sure I’ve never cured a lame person, but, like all of us, I think I have done things that helped someone, either through my actions or my words. But what do we do with that uncomfortable feeling when we receive accolades, and we realize that the event was a moment where we simply became an instrument of God’s love and care? We can remember that we choose to do all things with the intention of giving glory to God, rather than our own actions. A Latin saying, “Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam” (AMDG) is the motto of the Jesuit order, chosen by their founder, St. Ignatius Loyola, to describe a way of life that emphasizes doing all things not just for good, but for the greater glory of God, often referred to as “magis”.  When we focus on seeing God in all things, each and every day, we can act accordingly, glorifying God in gratitude and service.

—Donna K. Becher, M.S. is a certified spiritual director with the West Virginia Institute for Spirituality in Charleston, West Virginia. Her training is rooted in the Exercises of St. Ignatius of Loyola.  

Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory!

For the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness.
Why should the nations say,
“Where is their God?”

Our God is in the heavens;
he does whatever he pleases.
Their idols are silver and gold,
the work of human hands.

May you be blessed by the Lord,
who made heaven and earth.
The heavens are the Lord’s heavens,
but the earth he has given to human beings.

—Psalm 115: 1-2, 3-4, 15-16