My brothers and sisters, competence is a trait we highly value. We respect people who are experts in their fields, who speak with authority,...
My brothers and sisters, competence is a trait we highly value. We respect people who are experts in their fields, who speak with authority, and who know exactly what they are doing. But true spiritual growth requires us to admit where our competence ends.
In our First Reading, we meet a man named Apollos. He is an incredibly impressive figure. The scriptures tell us he was an authority on the Scriptures, he was fervent in spirit, and he spoke with great Ability and eloquence in the synagogue. He was a gifted communicator. But there was a gap in his knowledge: he only knew the baptism of John. He had not yet grasped the full reality of Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit.
Here is the beautiful part of the story. Priscilla and Aquila, a faithful married couple, hear him speak. They don't publicly embarrass him. Instead, they take him aside and explain the Way of God to him more accurately. Despite all his natural talent and ability, Apollos had the humility to accept their Assistance. Because he allowed himself to be taught, he became an even more powerful instrument for the early Church, vigorously refuting opposition and pointing clearly to Christ.
This humility is the same attitude Jesus calls us to in the Gospel. Jesus says, "Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete."
The act of Asking is a fundamental admission that we cannot do it all on our own. It is laying down our pride and our need to look completely self-sufficient. Whether we need the assistance of a colleague to learn a new skill, the advice of a friend to navigate a problem, or the grace of God to overcome a deeply ingrained sin, we must open our mouths and ask.
As we conclude this week, let us look at the areas of our lives where we are trying to manage entirely on our own strength. Let us have the humility of Apollos to accept help from others, and let us take Jesus at His word. Approach the Father with confidence, ask in the name of the Son, and open your hands to receive the grace that makes our joy complete
No comments