Learning to Love

 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.

Learning Our Way

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/ 

Credibility and Presence

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to seek the credentials that underline the fullness of life in the teachers and prophets that we encounter as we seek to live aware of the Presence.

Credible Teaching

The Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Thessalonians urges Vigilance.

* [5:5] Children of the light: that is, belonging to the daylight of God’s personal revelation and expected to achieve it (an analogous development of imagery that appears in Jn 12:36).

* [5:10] Characteristically, Paul plays on words suggesting ultimate and anticipated death and life. Union with the crucified and risen Lord at his parousia is anticipated in some measure in contrasted states of our temporal life. The essential element he urges is our indestructible personal union in Christ’s own life (see Rom 5:1–10). (1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 27 Asserts boundless hope that God will bring rescue.

* [Psalm 27] Tradition has handed down the two sections of the Psalm (Ps 27:1–6; 7–14) as one Psalm, though each part could be understood as complete in itself. Asserting boundless hope that God will bring rescue (Ps 27:1–3), the psalmist longs for the presence of God in the Temple, protection from all enemies (Ps 27:4–6). In part B there is a clear shift in tone (Ps 27:7–12); the climax of the poem comes with “I believe” (Ps 27:13), echoing “I trust” (Ps 27:3). (Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke presents Jesus' Cure of a Demoniac.

* [4:31–44] The next several incidents in Jesus’ ministry take place in Capernaum and are based on Luke’s source, Mk 1:21–39. To the previous portrait of Jesus as prophet (Lk 4:16–30) they now add a presentation of him as teacher (Lk 4:31–32), exorcist (Lk 4:32–37, 41), healer (Lk 4:38–40), and proclaimer of God’s kingdom (Lk 4:43).

* [4:34] What have you to do with us?: see note on Jn 2:4. Have you come to destroy us?: the question reflects the current belief that before the day of the Lord control over humanity would be wrested from the evil spirits, evil destroyed, and God’s authority over humanity reestablished. The synoptic gospel tradition presents Jesus carrying out this task. (Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB, n.d.)

A Member of the Creighton University Community comments that when we see flyers announcing lectures, we often read a listing of “credentials”: diplomas, experience, degrees… It is such cred-entials that are supposed to render the lecture cred-ible.

Jesus had neither degrees nor diplomas: what is there about his word? or in Nazareth: where did he learn all this?. Yet he spoke with authority: what he said came from his heart, from inner conviction …not like the scribes. The scribes needed to quote their Torah, in order to be credible. Jesus did at times also quote Scripture, but he dared to move beyond its literal sense: you have heard… but I say to you… He was not authoritarian, he was authoritative.

His authority was not political clout or temple power, it was moral authority that came from his life witness: who among you can convict me of sin? When life witness is present, there is no need for external cred-entials. Beyond speaking with authority Jesus was living with authority. Pope Francis speaks with authority, because he lives with authority. (Credibility in Teaching, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “New creation begins on the Sabbath,” by Ambrose of Milan, 339-397 A.D.

"He describes the works of divine healing begun on the sabbath day, to show from the outset that the new creation began where the old creation ceased. He showed us that the Son of God is not under the law but above the law, and that the law will not be destroyed but fulfilled (Matthew 5:17). For the world was not made through the law but by the Word, as we read: 'By the Word of the Lord were the heavens established' (Psalm 33:6). Thus the law is not destroyed but fulfilled, so that the renewal of humankind, already in error, may occur. The apostle too says, 'Stripping yourselves of the old man, put on the new, who was created according to Christ' (Colossians 3:9-10, Ephesians 4:22,24). He fittingly began on the sabbath, that he may show himself as Creator. He completed the work that he had already begun by weaving together works with works. (excerpt from EXPOSITION OF THE GOSPEL OF LUKE 4.58) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11 comments that Jesus and Paul’s call for us to be ready for something that could happen any day is really a call to balance two impulses. We should be “alert,” as St. Paul says, but not anxious (1 Thessalonians 5:6). But how do we do that?

You don’t have to feel trapped in fear over the thought of Jesus’ return. You are one of countless “children of the light and children of the day” (1 Thessalonians 5:5). The more attentive you are to the One who loves you, the more excited you will be for that day!

“Jesus, help me to be ready to greet you.” (Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the readings for today. The first part of the First Letter of Paul to the  Thessalonians speaks of the sudden coming of the end. In 1 Corinthians Paul believed there was not enough time to get married before the end. In the end of the passage the parenesis begins and reminds the community they are children of the light using a dualistic practice declaring while pagans they did live in the dark. Jesus is here for them. In the Gospel, Jesus teaches in the synagogue where he is encountered by an evil spirit who recognizes Him and Jesus exorcises the spirit. Friar Jude notes He frees captives, set people free and heals the sick.

Fr. Richard Rohr introduces CAC core faculty member Carmen Acevedo Butcher who offers a modern translation of Nicolas Herman, Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection, Practice of the Presence, instruction to “work gently”.

During our work and other activities, even during our reading and writing, no matter how spiritual, … we must stop for a brief moment, as often as we can, to love God deep in our heart, to savor them, even though this is brief and in secret. Since you are aware that God is present before you during your actions, that they are in the deep center of your soul, why not stop your activities and even your vocal prayers, at least from time to time, to love God, praise them, ask for their help, offer them your heart, and thank them?…  

Ultimately, we can offer God no greater evidence of our faithfulness than by frequently detaching and turning from all things created so we can enjoy their Creator for a single moment. I don’t mean to give the impression, though, that you should stop working or abandon your duties. That would be impossible. Wisdom, the mother of all our spiritual strengths, will be your guide. I am saying, however, that it is a common oversight among spiritually minded people not to turn from outside engagements from time to time to worship God within ourselves and enjoy in peace some small moments of their divine presence.  (Rohr, n.d.)

We are restored by the Spirit in our moments of anxiety and distress by STOPing to invoke our sense of the Presence of the Divine as our companion on our journey.

STOP

TAKE A BREATH

OBSERVE

PROCEDE

References

Credibility in Teaching. (n.d.). Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-september-3-2019 

Luke, CHAPTER 4 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/4?31 

Meditation on 1 Thessalonians 5:1-6, 9-11. (n.d.). Word Among Us Homepage. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://wau.org/meditations/2025/09/02/1372765/ 

1 Thessalonians, CHAPTER 5 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5?1 

Psalms, PSALM 27 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/27?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. CAC.org. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/work-gently/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). His Word Was with Authority and Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved September 2, 2025, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2025&date=sep2 

Light for the World

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today challenge us to contemplate the response of people in our salvation history to the prompting of the Spirit to proclaim the Good News through their actions and, if necessary, their words.

Life and Light

In the reading from the Acts of the Apostles, Barnabas and Saul are commissioned and the apostles preach in Cyprus.

* [13:1–3] The impulse for the first missionary effort in Asia Minor is ascribed to the prophets of the Antiochene community, under the inspiration of the holy Spirit. Just as the Jerusalem community had earlier been the center of missionary activity, so too Antioch becomes the center from which the missionaries Barnabas and Saul are sent out. (Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB, n.d.)

In Psalm 67 the Nations are called to Praise God.

* [Psalm 67] A petition for a bountiful harvest (Ps 67:7), made in the awareness that Israel’s prosperity will persuade the nations to worship its God.

* [67:2] May God be gracious to us: the people’s petition echoes the blessing pronounced upon them by the priests, cf. Nm 6:22–27. (Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB, n.d.)

The passage from the Gospel of John provides a summary of Jesus’ Teaching.

* [12:37–50] These verses, on unbelief of the Jews, provide an epilogue to the Book of Signs. (John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB, n.d.)

Daily Reflection Of Creighton University's Online Ministries was not available at publication time.

Don Schwager quotes “Whoever sees Jesus sees the Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria, 375-444 A.D.

"[Our Lord] gradually accustoms their minds to penetrate the depth of the mysteries concerning himself, [leading them] not to the human person but to that which was of the divine essence. He does this inasmuch as the Godhead is apprehended completely in the person of God the Father, for he has in himself the Son and the Spirit. With exceeding wisdom he carries them onward, ... for he does not exclude himself from being believed on by us because he is God by nature and has shone forth from God the Father. But skillfully (as has been said) he handles the mind of the weak to mold them to godliness in order that you might understand him to say something like this: 'When you believe on me - I who, for your sakes, am a man like yourselves, but who also am God by reason of my own nature and because of the Father from whom I exist - do not suppose that it is on a man you are setting your faith. For I am by nature God, notwithstanding that I appear like one of yourselves, and I have within myself him who begat me. Forasmuch therefore as I am consubstantial with him that has begotten me, your faith will assuredly pass on also to the Father himself.' As we said therefore, the Lord, gradually trains them to something better and profitably interweaves the human with what is God-befitting." (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON THE GOSPEL OF JOHN 8.7) (Schwager, n.d.)

The Word Among Us Meditation on John 12:44-50 comments that when someone stayed with Jesus long enough, they saw beyond his unassuming appearance. They saw that he was more than a teacher or a healer or a prophet. His words of teaching, his look of love, his inner peace and joy all bore God’s own inspiration and went straight to their hearts. When they saw Jesus, they saw the Father!

Jesus is ready to surprise you today. He’s ready to reveal his Father to you. So as you read today’s Scripture passages, invite him to exceed your expectations. Ask him to show you something new. It doesn’t have to be momentous. Maybe it will be just a small insight or application you haven’t noticed before. Or maybe one verse will strike you in a new way. If you keep this up day after day, you’ll discover that God has revealed far more than you expected. And that revelation will fill you with joy!

“Lord, surprise me! Help me find your presence today.” (Meditation on John 12:44-50, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments on the continuance of the ministry related in Acts as John Mark, probably the author of the Gospel of Mark, is consecrated by laying on of hands to him and Barnabas and Saul for this mission work. The Holy Spirit guides the Church and at this time led preachers first to the Jews and then after rejection to the Gentiles. Friar Jude reminds us of the very dualistic theme in John’s Gospel that implores us to make a choice for Christ and live in that choice.

Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Barbara Mahany who writes of the converting experience the Book of Nature had on the Christian mystic Brother Lawrence.

Brother Lawrence [1611–1691], the seventeenth-century barefoot friar who found God in the pots and pans of his monastery kitchen in Paris, told one such story. In his one published work [1], a collection of fourteen letters, a wisp of an eighty-page volume I once unearthed from a library’s musky archives, he wrote how a tree in winter, stripped of its leaves, played the pivotal role in his uncanny conversion. It seems the good brother absorbed the tree’s stark emptiness, and, in that way that saints and wise souls do, he saw beyond it. He imagined the possible. As it’s recorded in his little book’s preface, the soon-to-be-friar stood before the naked tree picturing its branches soon filled with tiny leaves as if clasped in prayer. And thus he was hit, head-on. The surging sense of the immensity of the Holy One all but knocked him down, realizing the life force, the beautiful that would burst from the barren. In his little book’s preface, I was struck most of all by how strange it is that divine attributes can sometimes be seen in something so common. And how we’ll miss the whole of it if we refuse to be stopped in our tracks. (Rohr, n.d.)

We experience the inspiration of the Holy Spirit when events on our journey reveal truth, love and goodness that reflects Jesus' proclamation that He and God are One.

References

Acts of the Apostles, CHAPTER 13 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/acts/13 

John, CHAPTER 12 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/12?44 

Meditation on John 12:44-50. (n.d.). The Word Among Us: Homepage. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://wau.org/meditations/2024/04/24/942032/ 

Psalms, PSALM 67 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/67?2 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). The Preaching of the Trees. CAC Daily Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/the-preaching-of-the-trees/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved April 24, 2024, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/?ds_year=2024&date=apr24