GOD’S WORD FOR THE DAY (based on Catholic Liturgical Readings)
DATE: 27TH MAY 2017
SATURDAY OF THE SIXTH WEEK OF EASTER
FIRST READING: Acts 18:23-28
PSALM: Ps 47: 2-3, 8-10
GOSPEL: Jn.16:23-28
THEME: GET HELP!
The picture painted of Apollos in the First Reading is admirable. He was an eloquent man with sound knowledge of the Scriptures; he preached with great spiritual fervour; he was accurate in all the details about Jesus and he preached the Gospel fearlessly in the synagogues of the Jews. In spite of all these credentials, he did not have it all; he still needed help. It took Priscilla and Aquila to offer him that needed assistance of a detailed instruction about the way. He needed to discover new things in Christ.
The fact is that no one has it all. The knowledge that most of us have in Christ is only a tip of the iceberg. There is more to be discovered. Unfortunately, our ‘credentials’ often blind us from seeing the need to learn more about Christ and to deepen our Christian faith. Over reliance on academic credentials, titles and positions hinders us in submitting humbly to the “Aquilas” and “Priscillas” in order to receive detailed instruction about the way.
An ‘Aquila’ or ‘Priscilla’ may take the form of a spiritual director, a spiritual companion or a counsellor. God uses such persons to help us grow in our faith journey. In my own personal spiritual journey, I have learnt some great truths from illiterates and semiliterates, truths that I never got from the classroom. I have come to discover that God is able to use very simple people to reveal to us profound truths.
During this season of Pentecost Novena, we have the opportunity to pray and ask for an outpouring of the Holy Spirit in order to deepen our experience of the Christian faith. As the Lord sends us the “Aquilas” and “Priscillas” to aid us in this experience let us submit with a humble heart and allow the Lord to do something new in our lives. We all need an Aquila and Priscilla to help us get to the next level of the spiritual ladder. Do not ignore them.
PRAYER: Lord Jesus, baptize me with your Spirit and let this show forth in a life of holiness to glorify your name. Amen
Andrews Obeng, svd
DIVINE WORD MISSIONARIES
BIBLICAL PASTORAL MINISTRY
(Ghana Province)
“May the darkness of sin and the night of unbelief vanish before the light of the Word and the Spirit of grace. And may the heart of Jesus live in the hearts of all people” (St. Arnold Janssen).