Breaking the Word

7^th week in Easter, Monday – 22^nd May 2023 – Acts 19,1-8; Jn 16,29-33

Signs of the Holy Spirit

In the first reading, Paul speaks to twelve men in Ephesus. They had received the baptism of John the Baptist but know little about Jesus. Paul pointed out that John’s baptism was only a ritual of sorrow for sin. John’s baptism looked forward to Jesus, who by his death would make possible the full forgiveness of sins and reconciliation with God. Baptism in the Holy Spirit involved faith in and total commitment to Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The men accepted Paul’s explanation and were baptized. As Paul laid hands on them, they immediately began to speak in tongues and to prophesy, a sure sign that the Spirit had come down on them. This was exactly the same experience the disciples had at Pentecost (Acts 2,4.11) and Cornelius and his household had in Caesarea (Acts 10,45-46). Even today, the Holy Spirit manifests in explicit ways for the salvation of everyone. Baptism is the rite by which the Church affirms the person’s salvation. The testimony of those who receive baptism takes the place of speaking in tongues, and their depth of knowledge in Scriptures takes the place of prophesying.

6^th week in Easter Time, Saturday – 20^th May 2023  — Acts 18,23-28; Jn 16, 23b-28

Passionate Evangelist

In the first reading, we come to know about a Jewish scripture scholar, Apollos, who proclaims the coming of the Messiah, but did not have a personal experience of Jesus. He is eloquent, fervent, and a good teacher. He has come to Ephesus with a full understanding of John the Baptist’s baptism of repentance. When the synagogue leadership invites him to preach, Aquila and Priscilla, Paul’s friends, are there to listen to him. They pull aside Apollos and share with him the full good news of Jesus. Apollos easily accepts the gospel message since it fits with his understanding of Hebrew scriptures. He then goes on to proclaim to the Jews that the Hebrew Scriptures point to Jesus, the Messiah. He is so passionate about Jesus and goes on to build up the church Paul planted in Corinth. He makes such an impression, that some of the Corinthian believers break into factions, some claiming to follow Paul and some Apollos. Though greatly knowledgeable and eloquent, Apollos expresses humility, as he willingly takes correction from Priscilla. When Paul speaks of Apollos’s work in Corinth, he considers him a fellow worker.