I allow Jesus to place me in the presence of his Father who loves me and I can have access to God’s fatherhood in union with Him.

＊＊＊ 1st Reading ＊＊＊   

Acts 18:23-28

 After spending some time there,

He left and traveled from place to place through Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening the disciples.  A certain Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, arrived at Ephesus. He was an eloquent speaker and an authority on the Scriptures,   and he had some knowledge of the way of the Lord.

With great enthusiasm he preached and taught correctly about Jesus, although he knew only of John’s baptism.   As he began to speak boldly in the synagogue, Priscilla and Aquila heard him; so they took him home with them and explained to him the way more accurately.  

As Apollos wished to go to Achaia, the believers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly strengthened those who, by God’s grace, had become be­lievers,   for he vigorously refuted the Jews, proving from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.

 

Ps 47:2-3, 8-9, 10

God is king of all the earth.

 

＊＊＊＊ Gospel ＊＊＊＊   

John 16:23b-28

Truly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name, he will give you. So far you have not asked for anything in my name; and receive, that your joy may be full.

I have taught you all these things in veiled language, but the time is coming when I shall no longer speak in veiled language, but will speak to you plainly about the Father.

When that day comes. You will ask in my name; and it will not be necessary for me to ask the Father for you, for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me, and you believed that I came from the Father. As I came from the Father, and have come into the world, so I am leaving the world, and going to the Father.”

 

Gospel Reflection：

Asking the Father

Jesus eggs us on to ask God for anything in his Name. If we had just one chance to ask the Father for something in Christ’s Name, what would we ask? I decided to approach four friends of mine with this question.

These are the things they would ask God for: “to reveal, in Your wisdom, Your divine plan and purpose for my life”, “give me more of Jesus”, “eternal life”, “let me hear your voice, to know your Will.” None of them expressed any desire for worldly matters, despite many material struggles some of them have been going through.

It is not surprising at all that at the depth of our hearts we long for God, and God alone. To know Him, love Him, live with Him, and walk according to His Will. Augustine was right: Our hearts are made for Him; and they are restless until they rest in Him.