May 12, 2018

Gospel: Jn 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; ask, 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.”

Reflections
Ask and receive, that your joy may be full Jesus assures us that whatever we ask in his name, the Father will give us. And yet, more often than not our petitions are not answered. We are denied a visa; we lose our jobs; our marriage collapses; a loved one isn’t healed but dies. God definitely hears all our prayers but does not respond to all of them according to our expectations. In such instances, can we hold on to a God we cannot manipulate according to our whims, can we surrender to the God of Mystery and in so doing grow in faith and hope in the Lord.

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