The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today remind us to approach our understanding of our faith from a position of humble openness to deeper revelation of our role and understanding of the Life of Love.
In the Reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Apollos appears as a preacher.
* [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, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB, n.d.)
Psalm 47 acknowledges the universal rule of Israel’s God.
* [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). (Psalm 47, PSALMS | USCCB, n.d.)
The Gospel of John proclaims the connection of Jesus to the Father in addressing our needs.
* [16:25] See note on Jn 10:6. Here, possibly a reference to Jn 15:1–16 or Jn 16:21. (John, JOHN | USCCB, n.d.)
Angela Maynard reflects on a time when she asked God for something for a friend and her prayers were answered—resulting in complete joy.
She had the biggest smile on her face and told me that she was given the opportunity to pick up 16 hours/week in another department. She will be able to continue her work through retirement and maintain her insurance benefits at a place that is affordable for her family. I told her how happy I was for her. I am truly thrilled because the department she will be working in exudes joy! She will be an incredible asset to the individuals served there and her heart will be so full! She agreed. I let her know that I had been praying for her and she told me this had to be a “God thing.” She said she was so worried and she had to give it to God and trust in the prayers she knew were being offered for her. She is grateful for the prayers and I must say, my faith got a nice boost today! (Maynard, 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 Apollos’ story tells us that it is no lasting shame to find out we are mistaken. There is always so much more to learn! We may have been trying our best to follow Jesus, but perhaps we didn’t fully understand an important point of doctrine. But that should never keep us from seeking greater understanding, and it certainly shouldn’t keep us from trying to serve the Lord!
So let’s rejoice that God looks on us with love before, during, and after these teaching moments. Rather than letting the gloom or embarrassment of our missteps push us to hide from God or withdraw from the people around us, let’s respond with gratitude for his light and clarity, and set out to follow him anew.
“Jesus, gentle and humble of heart, please keep teaching me your ways!” (Meditation on Acts 18:23-28, n.d.)
Friar Jude Winkler comments that in the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Paul has travelled to Antioch where he encounters Apollos and he used his knowledge to proclaim Jesus fulfills the promise of the Hebrew Testament. Apollos had to be taught about Christian baptism and when instructed, he continued to refute the Jews in public. The language and vocabulary of the Letter to the Hebrews are different from that of Paul and some scholars suggest that Apollos is possibly the author of Hebrews. He is connected to the Hebrew Testament and Alexandria to support the theory about the author. The Gospel of John proclaims if we ask in His name, the Father will grant it. We are not slaves but friends. Friar Jude comments that God will give what we most need, not what we most want. We are protected from things we may want but do not need for the risk of harm they may contain.
Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces the sixth season of Turning to the Mystics, where James Finley explores the teachings of Julian of Norwich.
We know that the wind blows across the surface of the water and the waves rise and fall. We live our daily lives on the surface of the water, the fluctuating patterns of our conditioned states of consciousness, and the constantly shifting patterns of our day-to-day conditions, whatever they might be. As we get into living an interior or contemplative life, we dive beneath the surface of the water. We come to calmer places in the interiority of ourselves where God is with us in the midst of life. Our life of service still goes on. What happens, happens, but we learn to be grounded in a depth of divine presence that sustains us and is one with us in all that’s happening. (Rohr, n.d.)
We contemplate our relationship with Father and Son and offer thanksgiving for the Spirit who enkindles in our heart the fire of Divine Love that inspires our action.
References
Acts, ACTS OF THE APOSTLES | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/18?23
John, JOHN | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/16?23
Maynard, A. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-may-16-2026
Meditation on Acts 18:23-28. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/05/16/1568661/
Psalm 47, PSALMS | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Bible Readings, Audio and Video Every Morning | USCCB. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/47?2
Rohr, R. (n.d.). Julian of Norwich: A Universal Mystic: Weekly Summary. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/julian-of-norwich-a-universal-mystic-weekly-summary/
Schwager, D. (n.d.). Ask in Jesus' Name, That Your Joy May Be Full. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved May 16, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/
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