Today’s Catholic Reflection
In Iconium, Paul and Barnabas faced hostility. Both Gentiles and Jews plotted against them. Aware of the danger, they fled to Lystra and Derbe. There, they continued to share the Good News. In Lystra, Paul healed a man who had been crippled from birth. This miracle amazed the crowd. They began to view Paul and Barnabas as gods, calling Paul "Hermes" and Barnabas "Zeus." The local priest even brought offerings to sacrifice to them.
Paul and Barnabas were horrified by this misunderstanding. They rushed to tell the people that they were just humans. They urged the crowd to turn away from idols and worship the living God. This God created everything and has shown kindness through nature. Despite their efforts, the crowd was barely persuaded to stop making sacrifices to them.