In the Name of the Father

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary, today, invite us to contemplate the witness we can share with the world as a result of our experience on the journey with Christ and the grace of the Spirit that opens the lessons of Life as occasions of intimate connection with God.

Connections on the Way

The reading from the Acts of the Apostles describes the ministry of Apollos.

* [18:24, 25] Apollos appears as a preacher who knows the teaching of Jesus in the context of John’s baptism of repentance. Aquila and Priscilla instruct him more fully. He is referred to in 1 Cor 1:12; 3:5–6, 22. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18, n.d.)

Psalm 47 praises God’s Rule over the Nations

* [Psalm 47] A hymn calling on the nations to acknowledge the universal rule of Israel’s God (Ps 47:2–5) who is enthroned as king over Israel and the nations (Ps 47:6–9). (Psalms, PSALM 47, n.d.)

In the Gospel of John, Jesus' return to the Father offers peace for the disciples.

* [16:4b–33] A duplicate of Jn 14:1–31 on departure and return. (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)

Tamora Whitney comments that Jesus wants his disciples to know that even though he won’t be here on earth with them, even though he won’t be here to teach and explain, that he is not abandoning them. He wants them to know that when they need something they can ask in his name, and he will be with God and can answer them.

He wants us to know that even though he isn’t here on earth with us, he is still available to us. Like Apollos in Ephesus from the first reading, we now have the latest information about who Jesus is and how he will help us. And if we ask in Jesus’ name, we will receive. (Whitney, 2022)

Don Schwager quotes “Offer prayers in Christ's name,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 376-444 A.D.

"He urges the disciples to seek for spiritual gifts and at the same time gives them confidence that, if they ask for them, they will not fail to obtain them. He adds the word Amen, that he might confirm their belief that if they ask the Father for anything they would receive it from him. He would act as their mediator and make known their request and, being one with the Father, grant it. For this is what he means by 'in my name'. For we cannot draw near to God the Father in any other way than through the Son. For it is by him that we have access in the one Spirit to the Father (Ephesians 2:8). It was because of this that he said, 'I am the door. I am the way. No one comes to the Father but by me' (John 10:7; 14:6). For as the Son is God, he being one with the Father provides good things for his sanctified people and is found to be generous of his wealth to us... Let us then offer our prayers in Christ's name. For in this way, the Father will most readily consent to them and grant his graces to those who seek them, that receiving them we may rejoice." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 11.2) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on Acts 18:23-28 comments that we can learn from Apollos—and Einstein—that God always has more that he wants to teach us. His mercy, his love, and his generosity are limitless. We can never get to the bottom of them. But God has given us his Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and he will provide opportunities every day for us to know him more fully (John 16:13).

So be sure to keep your heart open, however God wants to speak to you. Be sure also to ask the Lord to help you stay humble as you listen to other people or as you study his word. Like Apollos, try always to cultivate a thirst to know more about the Lord. “Lord Jesus, I want to know you more and more. Come and teach me.”(Meditation on Acts 18:23-28, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the intelligence of Apollos as he preached the Word and the Baptism of John, which was one of repentance. Christian Baptism takes us into the life of the Trinity. Martin Luther proposed that Apollos may be the author of Hebrews. Friar Jude notes that Jesus repeats the idea to ask in the name of the Father as we recognize our dependence and gratitude for the generosity of God.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, offers a contemplative practice of embracing “and.”

“And” teaches us to say yes

“And” allows us to be both-and

“And” keeps us from either-or

“And” teaches us to be patient and long suffering

“And” is willing to wait for insight and integration

“And” keeps us from dualistic thinking

“And” does not divide the field of the moment

“And” helps us to live in the always imperfect now

“And” keeps us inclusive and compassionate toward everything

“And” insists that our action is also contemplative

“And” heals our racism, sexism, heterosexism, and classism

“And” allows us to critique both sides of things

“And” allows us to enjoy both sides of things

“And” is far beyond any one nation or political party

“And” helps us face and accept our own shadow side

“And” allows us to ask for forgiveness and to apologize

“And” is the mystery of the paradox in all things

“And” is the way of mercy

“And” makes daily, practical love possible

“And” does not trust love if it is not also justice

“And” does not trust justice if it is not also love

“And” is far beyond my religion versus your religion

“And” allows us to be both distinct and yet united “And” is the very Mystery of Trinity (Rohr, 2022)

And we are aware that being open to the Spirit will guide our understanding and witness to the Way of Jesus.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?23 

John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?23 

Meditation on Acts 18:23-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://wau.org/meditations/2022/05/28/395308/ 

Psalms, PSALM 47. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2 

Rohr, R. (2022, May 28). Struggling with Christianity: Weekly Summary. Daily Meditations Archive: 2022. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/struggling-with-christianity-weekly-summary-2022-05-28/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2022&date=may28 

Whitney, T. (2022, May 28). Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries. Creighton University's Online Ministries. Retrieved May 28, 2022, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052822.html