Let me introduce you to three persons mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles. The first is Apollos who was a man of eloquence, affluence, and great wealth. He was also a good speaker. He preached and was well-versed in the Jewish religion. He knew about Jesus Christ. He knew that Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of all the promises made in the Scriptures.
There are Priscilla and Aquila who were tentmakers. They were not so eloquent and affluent. They were not educated nor were they VIPs in Jewish society.
Priscilla and Aquila heard the eloquent preaching of Apollos. But they noticed something very important missing in what he preached. Apollos failed to preach that Christ suffered, died, and rose from the dead.
They decided to approach Apollos to tell him, “Apollos, may we invite you to our house? It is a poor house but we want to tell you something. We want to tell you that something very important has been missing in what you preach.” Apollos went to their house, listened to Priscilla and Aquila, and came to know the Lord even more.
Such was the humility of Apollos. He was wealthy. He was eloquent. He was a VIP. And yet, he went outside of his own status and qualifications to listen to the preaching of two simple tentmakers.
Do we have this kind of humility? Do we have the humility to say, “God speaks to me not only in meditation, not only at Mass but also in dialogue with other people?”
Do we have the humility to believe that God can speak to us also through our drivers, yayas, and cooks at home?
When we talk to the cook, we talk about menus. When we talk to the driver, we talk about directions. When we talk to the security guard, we talk about security precautions. Why don’t we talk to them about God? I am sure they have their personal experiences about Him. They have something to share and we have something to learn from them.
Sometimes we can become too intellectually proud that we say, What will I learn from my driver? What is there to learn from my cook?” If Apollos asked the same questions about Aquila and Priscilla, a lot of graces would have been lost. Fortunately, he was humble. Are you humble enough to recognize the Lord speaking to you in ordinary and simple people?
THE SIMPLE WAYS OF GOD
Acts 18:23-28
Only Jesus, Always Jesus
Dear Fr.Soc, thank you for your brief but meaningful online posts which enlighten and inspire me daily. God bless you!
Thank you po for the reminder. Since my lifes journey is different(no kasambahay, driver etc) I find it so important to go in places where people do not very well know God. Please pray for me po. Salamat po.
True po, one time I ride on a bus going to work, I sit beside an old man, then I said to him “bakit po wala kayong kasamang nagbebyahe, may idad na po kayo, di po ba kayo natatakot magbiyahe magisa?” And he said “bakit ako matatakot, kasama ko Ang Diyos…” wow I said to myself “what faith he has…” I always remember that simple conversation with a stranger… which enlightens me… I thank God having a privileged to see God to others…
And I always thank God for having You as our Archbishop here in The Archdicese of Lingayen-Dagupan… ☺️