MEDITATION OF THE DAY(Scripture Acts 18:23-28)
THEME:DEVELOPING THE FULL POTENTIALS OF EACH PERSON.

Today’s first reading introduces us to Apollos and some very interesting complexities. We are told that Apollos gave a very spirited account of why Jesus is the Christ to the Jews in Ephesus. What is unique here is that Apollos did not seem to have received the Spirit, and yet was able to debate successfully with the Jews.

He had not received the Spirit because he had only been given the baptism of John, which John himself explained was with water, whereas the one coming after him, Jesus, would baptize with the Holy Spirit (cf. Mark 1:. So the first reading today emphasizes the human qualities of Apollos to explain his success. We are told he was eloquent, with a complete knowledge of the Scriptures. In other words, he was such a gifted individual that he was able to use his own resources to debate the Good News with the Jews. It was not the Spirit speaking in him, although he would certainly have been given guidance and grace by God in his ministry as an evangelizer of Jesus to the Jews.

It is interesting to note the role of Priscilla and Aquila in Apollos’ development. They had received the Spirit through baptism and had spent eighteen months with Paul. So they took Apollos under their wing and ‘expounded to him the way of God more accurately’ (v. 26). This shows that there is a depth to the teaching about Christ. 

And Apollos here shows great humility. He would have known he was a talented speaker and that he was accurate in what he said about Jesus. But deep down he must have known that Priscilla and Aquila had more to teach him. He therefore submitted to their superior knowledge and spent time learning more about the Way. 

This is a possible lesson for us today. However well we think we know the Scriptures and our faith, there are people out there who have a deeper understanding. Whether that means going on a guided retreat, or reading something written by a Pope, or reading one of the lives of the saints, we can take time out from our own particular path of faith. We can always go further in our knowledge of God, and by deepening knowledge we will in turn deepen our love for the Lord. 

PRAYER:God, please bless our Pope in his mission to shepherd souls closer to Jesus, the source of all truth.