In most professions there are requirements for Continuing Education. As veterinarians in Illinois, we have to attend a minimum of 20 hours of additional instruction every 2 years in order to maintain our licenses. Usually this involves attendance at conferences. These may be local, regional, national or international. Typically there are various speakers who have expertise in their field and impart this knowledge through lectures or small group discussions. These lectures are then usually followed up, as with conferences in other professions, by attendees returning to their hotels and dropping water filled surgeon’s gloves onto unsuspecting passers-by on the sidewalks below. But I digress.
Sometimes, however, the best lessons are given in less formal circumstances. When I was first in practice I recall treating an older female dog who was leaking urine when she was relaxed and lying down. This is a common problem in dogs who had been spayed (uterus and ovaries removed) at a younger age. At the time, treatment involved the administration of an estrogen compound that caused the muscle that controlled urine retention in the urinary bladder to become more toned and strengthened. However, the medication had some side effects including anemia. The owner of the dog in question related to me how she had heard that it is possible to use a medication called phenylpropanolamine (PPA) to accomplish the same effect. From my knowledge base I only knew PPA to be used as a decongestant and could not understand how it could be useful in treating incontinence. So I did some research and, yes, this was a new treatment for the condition and now 35 years later it is the drug of choice for treating urinary incontinence of this type.
In the above example, I could have very easily told the client that this could not be true since this medication had no indication for treating incontinence and continued the standard therapy, thus depriving myself of growth in the profession and denying the patient an effective treatment. And so it went in our first reading from Acts involving the new and upcoming evangelist, Apollos. Apollos was a Jew from Alexandria in northern Egypt. One of the largest cities in the Roman world. The citizens of Alexandria were learned in scripture as well as in philosophy. They had no direct knowledge of the workings of Christ. Only second hand info on the teachings of John the Baptist. Their goal was to somehow understand the scriptures through the lens of Greek philosophy leading to a very different view of Christ’s teachings. One very much in opposition of the direct knowledge that the apostles and Paul had of the works of Jesus. Apollos was in no way malicious or a malcontent. He was merely ignorant of the truth of the Gospel.
In steps Pricilla and Aquilla. A married couple who were close to St. Paul. And as such knew the teachings of Christ very well. When they heard Apollos preach, they were impressed with his zeal and fervor to spread the word of God. But they also realized that he was not conveying the message accurately at all times. So, they took him aside and gave him further instruction.
Now the key here, in my opinion, was the reaction of Apollos. He could very easily have responded to Pricilla and Aquilla’s instruction by taking the position that he knew best and would fall back on the teachings he had received in Alexandria, thus limiting his growth as a Christian. Instead, he recognized the knowledge and love with which they were addressing him. He readily accepted their instruction and went on to teach in Corinth. In fact, he was so effective that he developed followers committed to his teachings. There developed cult followings to Apollos, in addition to a second group who claimed to be followers of Paul. It reached a point where Paul had to admonish both groups to refocus them that they were all followers of Christ.
Apollos grew in his faith by being open to the teachings of those around him. By being open to the workings of the Holy Spirit through friends God placed in his life. May we too have that willingness to learn. To associate with individuals walking with the Lord. Find a ministry in your parish that fits with your talents. Consider doing a retreat, such as Cursillo or Christ Renews His Parish. Find a small study group to be a part of. As my Mother used to say, “You are the friends you keep”.
