Now when the people saw what Paul had done, they raised their voices, saying in the Lycaonian language,"The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!" And Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker. Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.

But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out and saying, "Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men with the same nature as you, and preach to you that you should turn from these useless things to the living God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all things that are in them, who in bygone generations allowed all nations to walk in their own ways.

Nevertheless He did not leave Himself without witness, in that He did good, gave us rain from heaven and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness." And with these sayings they could scarcely restrain the multitudes from sacrificing to them.

The focus of Paul and Barnabus' message was that we should worship the Creator of all things rather than worship all the created things. 2000 years ago and we still need to preach this simple message. The witness now is as the witness then. Everything, all things should speak to me of the wonders of the Creator. They still do but our ears and hearts are as resistant to the message as the ears and hearts of Greeks of Laconia.

Now, on a wet, chilly afternoon in mid-October, I can hear the words of the LORD, God, the Almighty as He causes a much needed rain to moisten the soil in preparation of the coming freezes and snows. All to provide a rock hard shield of frozen turf to protect the root systems and animal life to flourish through the Vermont winter.

Readings:

Morning Psalm 106, Noon Psalm 119:129-136, Evening Psalm 57