“The Greatest Show on earth” was a blockbuster Technicolor movie produced by Cecil B DeMille in 1952. Two of the animal stars of the movie were two gorillas by the name of Priscilla and Aquila. I thought the names were rhythmical but I drew no significance. To a seven-year old boy they were just names and did not notice the irony of the names till much later in life and only stands out if you are a movie buff. In reality they were hero’s of the Bible . They are mentioned a couple of times in the Book of Acts( Acts 18) from our readings on Thursday and Friday. Who were they and who was Apollos? It is interesting that Priscilla and Aquila were a married couple and missionaries for the early Christian church. Apollos likewise was a missionary much like Saint Paul. It seems that Apollos had never been Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ and only the baptism of repentance by Saint John and had not received the Holy Spirit. Priscilla and Aquila instructed and guided Apollos and there is the major significance of their act of correction and loving instruction that is a model for us in our lives in the 21st Century in 1917. They were married which I think is of huge significance. Don’t get me wrong I was a single person for 55 years before I married my lovely bride, Anna, for the last 17 years. What is important is they were a team and mentors for change for the Church to grow. According to the Book of Acts, Apollos went on to do even greater works in Acts 18: 27-28 ” And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace.He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the scriptures that the Messiah is Jesus.”
Let me talk about some of the mentors in my life over the years. My seventh grade nun was Sister Mary Fatima from the School Sisters of Notre Dame. She was the daughter of an Irish-American Milwaukee cop. She was an amazing women. I will speak of her in some later reflections. But there is also another person who was by name Father Moran who was my senior religion teacher in high school. We were so disrespectful we called him by the nickname “Bugs”. Not to his face of course . He was a great guy. Let me describe one of his six-week courses in which he used of all things the King James version of the bible as proof of a great number Catholic Doctrines. For example one of the doctrines that the good Father supported by scripture was the doctrine of Transubstantiation which describes the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Holy Eucharist. ( John 6; Luke 22 and Luke 24) He said at the time it was part of a seminary course. I wish I had saved my notes from high school. Nonetheless, it led me to a life long love of the study of scriptures . Some people do not study because they are intimidated by The Word. I was never scared although there is much more I need to learn and am still learning everyday. We need mentors in our lives to help us grow much like Apollo had with Priscilla and Aquila. Notice I did not include family members who were mentors but I had a great number of them as well. The Book of Act has always been a pattern for us to act in the modern Church today or any day in the future.
Jesus brings it home in the Gospel for today. John 16:23-26 ” On that day you will not question me about anything. Amen, amen, I say to you, 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, I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father.On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you”
We have someone our side and His name is Jesus. Personally the work that mentors did in my life is not completely over. I even am mentored by my grandchildren. We all serve as mentors for the world around us. It is ironic that “The Greatest Show on Earth” which is the Barnum and Bailey Circus is closing it doors forever this year. The performers will go to other circuses and the animals will go to animal preserves. This is an era gone for good or bad but the era of mentoring is alive and well in all of us who guide others to be better Christians and Catholics. Mentors speak clearly and with a firmness of faith. Look at the world around you and see with the eyes of the Holy Spirit when you look to mentor someone. It could be any person like Apollo or one of your relatives. One of the ten commandments is number eight which says not to swear false witness towards a neighbor (Exodus 20). The opposite side of the coin is a truthful and a positive witness to all with life lessons that we all have and the Holy Spirit working in us.
God Bless
Bob Burford
Readings. Acts 18:23-28; Psalm 47:2-3; 8-9; 10; John 16: 23B-28
Pray for the one among us who needs our prayers the most today and for the person who has no one to pray for them.
