The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today reassure us that the Spirit will guide our work to build up community in relationship with Christ.
The reading from the Acts of the Apostles introduces 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.
* [18:26] The Way [of God]: for the Way, see note on Acts 9:2. Other manuscripts here read “the Way of the Lord,” “the word of the Lord,” or simply “the Way.” (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 offers Peace for the Disciples.
* [16:4b–33] A duplicate of Jn 14:1–31 on departure and return. (John, CHAPTER 16, n.d.)
Larry Hopp comments that God is reminding us that we, like Apollos, have many opportunities to make a difference - to be used by Him. We do not need to have an earth-shaking experience as did Paul on the road to Damascus. We are simply called to reach out to teach and encourage, to make a difference, to share our story. We really are no different than Priscilla, Aquila and even Apollos. God chose to tell us their story to show us how powerfully He can use us ordinary people for the advancement of His kingdom.
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so thankful that you have intricately woven throughout your Holy Word, the lives of ordinary people to remind us that we all can indeed make a difference for Him. To be the man & woman we were created to be. Help each of us to boldly follow your calling. To share the simply incredible joy found in following our Lord and Savior. A joy that only He can provide.
In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen. (Hopp, n.d.)
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 imitate Apollos by trying to stay hopeful and positive when someone offers us advice or tells us how we can improve. We can assume that the person speaking to us is sincerely trying to help us. Instead of feeling offended or becoming defensive, we can respond graciously and take their advice to prayer.
It’s natural to want to shy away from receiving feedback. But as we learn to accept our imperfections and embrace spiritual growth, we can expect the Holy Spirit to continue to change us. And that will help change the lives of everyone around us!
“Father, help me to grow in humility and openness of heart.” (Meditation on Acts 18:23-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler discusses Paul preaching in Asia Minor and the appearance of Apollos who is teaching about the Baptism of John. Apollos, a Greek from Alexandria, who has the language and style of the Letter to the Hebrews is possibly the author of this letter. Friar Jude reminds us of the relations of a parent to a child that Jesus gives us with the Father through the Trinity.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, comments that Rev. Alexia Salvatierra has worked for years nurturing social justice movements that challenge the systemic evils of our time. Here she recalls a Scripture reflection that civil rights leader James M. Lawson (b. 1928) often told to emphasize the importance of the small actions we can take.
Reverend James M. Lawson … used to share with the new interns and staff his interpretation of 1 Kings 18:20–39. In the passage, Elijah is competing with the false prophets. They each build an altar of wood and pray for divine fire to come down. The fire comes down for Elijah but not for the false prophets. The wisdom that Jim would draw from the story was that Elijah’s success came from three elements—the fire, the prayer, and the wood. The fire is analogous to what happens in a movement when suddenly the number of people engaged multiplies and floods of human beings break down previously impenetrable barriers. The element of prayer is always critical. But the fire could not come down if there were no wood for it to burn. The building of the wooden altar is the slow, daily process of movement building, the endless conversations and meetings, the actions that seem to have no impact, the multiple defeats of initiatives and proposals. No human being can control when the fire comes down, but we can and must pile up the wood. (Rohr, n.d.)
We build up our experience of the Way of Christ in the piety, study, and action that the Spirit prompts us to accept on our journey.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?23
Hopp, L. (n.d.). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/052023.html
John, CHAPTER 16. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?
Meditation on Acts 18:23-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://wau.org/meditations/2023/05/20/685848/
Psalms, PSALM 47. (n.d.). USCCB. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Evil Is a Social Reality. Daily Meditations Archive: 2023. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/evil-is-a-social-reality-weekly-summary-2023-05-20/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 20, 2023, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2023&date=may20
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