Daily Retreat 05/23/09
2009 May 23 Sat:Easter Weekday
Acts 18:23-28/ Ps 46(47):2-3. 8-9. 10/ Jn 16:23b-28
From today’s readings: “After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.... God is king of all the earth.... I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
The Appearance of Apollos
One of the points that is made again and again in the Acts of the Apostles is the need for “ongoing studies” in the Christian faith. In chapter 18, Apollos is introduced as “an eloquent speaker” and “authority on the Scriptures” who “spoke and taught accurately about Jesus.” What a glowing introduction! And yet, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him even more accurately about the Way of God, and Apollos had the humility to listen and learn.
Too many people learn a few basic things about their Christian faith, and then figure they know enough. Just in America, there are literally millions of Catholics who have hardly spent any time or effort after making their First Communion to learn more and continue to grow in their understanding of their faith. Worse yet, many of them have long since forgotten the fundamentals they learned long ago, and thus have difficulties in recalling even an outline of the life of Christ, or the most basic bits about the Bible, or the most elementary teachings on the sacraments.
What’s the solution? The Apollos attitude! Every one of us needs to admit that we’re not done learning yet - that Christ and His Church still have much to teach us about the Way of God. Ideally, adults should network and encourage each other in this regard, but don’t let the lack of company stop you from making a commitment to searching the internet, local libraries, and available experts for help in adopting the Apollos attitude!
Acts 18:23-28/ Ps 46(47):2-3. 8-9. 10/ Jn 16:23b-28
From today’s readings: “After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.... God is king of all the earth.... I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”
The Appearance of Apollos
One of the points that is made again and again in the Acts of the Apostles is the need for “ongoing studies” in the Christian faith. In chapter 18, Apollos is introduced as “an eloquent speaker” and “authority on the Scriptures” who “spoke and taught accurately about Jesus.” What a glowing introduction! And yet, Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained to him even more accurately about the Way of God, and Apollos had the humility to listen and learn.
Too many people learn a few basic things about their Christian faith, and then figure they know enough. Just in America, there are literally millions of Catholics who have hardly spent any time or effort after making their First Communion to learn more and continue to grow in their understanding of their faith. Worse yet, many of them have long since forgotten the fundamentals they learned long ago, and thus have difficulties in recalling even an outline of the life of Christ, or the most basic bits about the Bible, or the most elementary teachings on the sacraments.
What’s the solution? The Apollos attitude! Every one of us needs to admit that we’re not done learning yet - that Christ and His Church still have much to teach us about the Way of God. Ideally, adults should network and encourage each other in this regard, but don’t let the lack of company stop you from making a commitment to searching the internet, local libraries, and available experts for help in adopting the Apollos attitude!
posted by FrPitstick | 5/16/2009
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