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/ 

Voices of the Way

The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today exhort us to contemplate the mission of the leaders in the Church and act with thanksgiving for their witness.

Witness on the Way

The Reading from the Second Letter to Timothy proclaims a Greeting and Thanksgiving for The Gifts Timothy Has Received.

* [1:1–2] For the formula of address and greeting, see note on Rom 1:1–7.

* [1:1] The promise of life in Christ Jesus: that God grants through union with Christ in faith and love; cf. Col 3:4; 1 Tm 4:8.

* [1:3] As my ancestors did: this emphasizes the continuity of Judaism and Christianity; for a similar view, see Rom 9:3–5; Phil 3:4–6.

* [1:4–5] Purportedly written from prison in Rome (2 Tm 1:8, 17; 4:6–8) shortly before the writer’s death, the letter recalls the earlier sorrowful parting from Timothy, commending him for his faith and expressing the longing to see him again.

* [1:6] The gift of God: the grace resulting from the conferral of an ecclesiastical office. The imposition of my hands: see note on 1 Tm 4:14.

* [1:8] Do not be ashamed of your testimony to our Lord: i.e., of preaching and suffering for the sake of the gospel. (2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Reading from the Letter to Titus offers a Greeting toTitus in Crete.

* [1:1–4] On the epistolary form, see note on Rom 1:1–7. The apostolate is the divinely appointed mission to lead others to the true faith and through it to eternal salvation (1–3).

* [1:5–9] This instruction on the selection and appointment of presbyters (Titus, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB, n.d.)

Psalm 96 invites all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God.

* [Psalm 96] A hymn inviting all humanity to praise the glories of Israel’s God (Ps 96:1–3), who is the sole God (Ps 96:4–6). To the just ruler of all belongs worship (Ps 96:7–10); even inanimate creation is to offer praise (Ps 96:11–13). This Psalm has numerous verbal and thematic contacts with Is 40–55, as does Ps 98. Another version of the Psalm is 1 Chr 16:23–33. (Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Luke, from the CCCB lectionary, proclaims The Mission of the Seventy-two.

* [10:1–12] Only the Gospel of Luke contains two episodes in which Jesus sends out his followers on a mission: the first (Lk 9:1–6) is based on the mission in Mk 6:6b–13 and recounts the sending out of the Twelve; here in Lk 10:1–12 a similar report based on Q becomes the sending out of seventy-two in this gospel. The episode continues the theme of Jesus preparing witnesses to himself and his ministry. These witnesses include not only the Twelve but also the seventy-two who may represent the Christian mission in Luke’s own day. Note that the instructions given to the Twelve and to the seventy-two are similar and that what is said to the seventy-two in Lk 10:4 is directed to the Twelve in Lk 22:35.

* [10:1] Seventy[-two]: important representatives of the Alexandrian and Caesarean text types read “seventy,” while other important Alexandrian texts and Western readings have “seventy-two.”

* [10:4] Carry no money bag…greet no one along the way: because of the urgency of the mission and the singlemindedness required of missionaries, attachment to material possessions should be avoided and even customary greetings should not distract from the fulfillment of the task.

* [10:5] First say, ‘Peace to this household’: see notes on Lk 2:14 and Mt 10:13.

* [10:6] A peaceful person: literally, “a son of peace.” (Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB, n.d.)

The Gospel of Mark, presents the comparison of Jesus and Beelzebul.

* [3:22] By Beelzebul: see note on Mt 10:25. Two accusations are leveled against Jesus: (1) that he is possessed by an unclean spirit and (2) by the prince of demons he drives out demons. Jesus answers the second charge by a parable (Mk 3:24–27) and responds to the first charge in Mk 3:28–29.

* [3:29] Whoever blasphemes against the holy Spirit: this sin is called an everlasting sin because it attributes to Satan, who is the power of evil, what is actually the work of the holy Spirit, namely, victory over the demons. (Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB, n.d.)

Larry Hopp comments that today’s readings remind us to remain alert, to stand firm against the lies and persecution we will be facing throughout our lives. It is imperative that we remain bold and confident as we seek to become the man or woman that God created us to be.

Dear Heavenly Father, help us to never lose sight of who you are and your countless wonderous deeds that we experience every moment of our lives. Help us to live a life that has obviously been touched by you. Stir in us the flame of your love and purpose. In the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Christ. Amen (Hopp, n.d.)

Don Schwager quotes “The cross of Christ as victory,” by Augustine of Hippo, 354-430 A.D.

"It is not difficult, therefore, to see how the devil was conquered when he, who was slain by him, rose again. But there is something greater and more profound of comprehension: to see how the devil was conquered precisely when he was thought to be conquering, namely, when Christ was crucified. For at that moment the blood of him who had no sin at all, was shed for the remission of our sins (Matthew 26:28, 1 John 3:5). The devil deservedly held those whom he had bound by sin to the condition of death. So it happened that One who was guilty of no sin freed them justly from this condemnation (Hebrews 2:14). The strong man was conquered by this paradoxical justice and bound by this chain, that his vessels [booty] might be taken away. Those vessels which had been vessels of wrath were turned into vessels of mercy (Romans 9:22-23)." (excerpt ON THE TRINITY 13.15.19) (Schwager, n.d.)

 The Word Among Us Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8 comments that we read St. Paul’s metaphor in today’s first reading about a single glowing ember becoming a blazing fire. When that ember is the gift of God’s grace through the Holy Spirit, Paul says, it can be stirred up into a furnace of divine grace and power!

Whatever step you take, remember that the spark of the Holy Spirit is unquenchable—nothing life throws at you can fully dim its glow. Every day there is a new chance to rouse that flicker of flame into a mighty blaze!

“Holy Spirit, set my life on fire for God!” (Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8, n.d.)

Friar Jude Winkler comments that, when not on Sunday, January 25 celebrates the conversion of St. Paul. and today we read two pastoral letters to Timothy and Titus, attributed to Paul, because of different vocabulary, theology and ecclesiology that is much more developed than Paul’s in 50 - 63 CE. The letter commends Timothy for living according to the promise of the ancestors. Timothy is Jewish in his mother’s line, rather young, and not necessarily listened to. Even so,he did exercise a function within the community. Titus talks about the promise from before time began, as a Gentile Christian who is referred to as an episcopas or “bishop” serving as overseer and to choose "presbyters” in the establishment of the hierarchy noted in Ignatius letters. The family of Jesus sought to take Him home and the Pharisees claim him to be possessed. Friar Jude comments on the Jewish twisting of Beelzebul and the idea that a house divided against itself cannot stand. Sins against the Holy Spirit include blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, by holding the guilt of sin is stronger than the Mercy of God or acting in sin on the presumption of forgiveness.

Father Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces authors Jennifer Garcia Bashaw and Aaron Higashi who highlight that the Bible includes stories from many voices across different times and cultures.

The voice of a tenth-century BCE court history, for instance, is different from the voice of a sixth-century BCE piece of wisdom literature, which is also different from the voice of a late first-century CE gospel. Just as a quilt is made of many different sections, or an anthology is made of many different essays, the Bible is a collection of independent things. [1] (Rohr, n.d.)

Spiritual writer Carl McColman describes how recognizing multiple voices in the Bible allows us to center those voices that communicate God’s love, mercy, and justice.

A mystical reading of the Bible sees it as a conversation with many voices chiming in. Unfortunately, some of those voices are racist, sexist, homophobic, classist, or comfortable with the authoritarian exercise of power. But other voices also present in the Bible seek to challenge all of the above, promoting a world where privilege is dismantled, nonviolence is an ethical mandate, and compassion is the guiding principle for both individual behavior and social norms. Learning to read the Bible like a mystic includes learning to recognize all those different voices and discern which ones primarily function as “bad” examples and which ones are truly there to inspire us and draw us closer to God. When we read the Bible to connect with those compassionate and just voices, it is not only the Bible that is saved, but we ourselves also become more whole. [2] (Rohr, n.d.)

When we apply the tripod of piety, study, and action to our mission as Jesus’ disciples we express gratitude for our foreparents in the faith and the voices they echo interpreted with the guidance of the Spirit.

References

Hopp, L. (n.d.). Daily Reflection. Creighton Online Ministries: Home. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://onlineministries.creighton.edu/daily-reflections/daily-reflection-january-26-2026 

Luke, CHAPTER 10 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/10 

Mark, CHAPTER 3 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/mark/3?22 

Meditation on 2 Timothy 1:1-8. (n.d.). Word Among Us. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://wau.org/meditations/2026/01/26/1487686/ 

Psalms, PSALM 96 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/96?1 

Rohr, R. (n.d.). Daily Meditations — Center for Action and Contemplation. Center for Action and Contemplation. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://cac.org/daily-meditations/many-voices-one-text/ 

Schwager, D. (n.d.). Jesus Frees Us from Satan's Power. Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations – Daily Scripture Readings and Meditations. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://www.dailyscripture.net/daily-meditation/ 

Titus, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/titus/1?1 

2 Timothy, CHAPTER 1 | USCCB. (n.d.). Daily Readings. Retrieved January 26, 2026, from https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2timothy/1?1