The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the help we need from our relationship with Christ and to welcome with gratitude the efforts of people in our environment to come to our needs.
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.
* [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 | USCCB, 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 | USCCB, n.d.)
In the Gospel of John, Jesus promises Peace for the Disciples.
* [16:25] See note on Jn 10:6. Here, possibly a reference to Jn 15:1–16 or Jn 16:21. (John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB, n.d.)
Mary Lee Brock comments that seeing the collaboration of Priscilla and Aquila inspires her to appreciate the good that can come when we make the time and effort to work together.
As I watch our hard-working students and colleagues celebrate the milestone of graduation, I ask for the grace to be open to God’s call to collaboration, especially when there are challenges. I pray for courage to raise important issues in a respectful manner. I celebrate when difficult conversations lead to learning, growth and compassion. I am grateful for the many fruits collaborative ministry has yielded. (Brock, 2024)
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 Paul travels throughout Galatia “bringing strength to all the disciples” along the way (Acts 18:23). Then, we meet Apollos, a believer with great zeal but little understanding of the gospel. Priscilla and Aquila spend time “fertilizing” his faith, and as a result, he becomes an even more powerful witness to Christ. So much so that when they send him out to preach, he is able to give “great assistance to those who had come to believe” (18:27).
Today, thank God for the ways that your faith already builds up the people around you. But also consider if he is inviting you to spend a little extra time with him so that you can become an even more effective witness to his love. You don’t have to memorize the entire Bible, and you don’t need a theologian’s training. You just need to take one small step. He does the rest.
“Here I am, Lord; I’m ready to learn. How can I become a better witness to your love?” (Meditation on Acts 18:23-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments on the arrival of Apollos, a Jew from Alexandria, who is instructed in the Way by Priscilla and Aquila, and who preaches powerfully. The language and knowledge in the Book of Hebrews suggests an author other than Paul. Martin Luther thought Apollos may be a candidate. Friar Jude reminds us that the Gospel of John teaches that eternity begins with our encounter with Christ and His Resurrection and return to the Father.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Author Kaitlin Curtice who writes about the sacred legacy of home.
I believe some of the most powerful places on earth are the rocking chairs on front porches, the benches nestled around dinner tables, the stones set up around firepits, and the rug at the base of a child’s bed. They are the places where we tell stories, where we examine what it means to be human and decide how much kindness we will show ourselves and one another.
Those are the places where we learn who God is and who God isn’t, where we are taught what kind of lives to live, where we learn about how the children and the elders are connected and find the Sacred in their everyday experiences because they are leaning in and listening with their whole beings.
May we always return to the places where the stories begin, to challenge them, to accept and honor them, and to whisper to ourselves and one another that we are always, always arriving. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate the growth we have experienced through communion with human and Divine influences on our journey.
References
Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 18 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?23
Brock, M. L. (2024, May 4). Creighton U. Daily Reflection. Online Ministries. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/051124.html
John, CHAPTER 16 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?23
Meditation on Acts 18:23-28. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/05/11/961602/
Psalms, PSALM 47 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Homecoming: Weekly Summary. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/homecoming-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 11, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=may11
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