GOSPEL, John (16: 23-28)

Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John

 Sorrow Will Turn into Joy

²³ On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. ²⁴ Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.

Peace for the Disciples

²⁵ “I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but will tell you plainly of the Father. ²⁶ On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf; ²⁷ for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God.

 ²⁸ I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.”

 The Gospel of the Lord

REFLECTION

In the previous readings, specifically regarding Christ’s farewell, St. John speaks about the circle of love that is established between the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and of the believers themselves.

In today’s gospel, Jesus exposes two consequences resulting from His unity with his Disciples, these are, intimacy in prayer and communion of life, the knowledge of Jesus and the Father.

Jesus assures them of the fulfilment of their supplications made to the Father in his name. “Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you.  Until now, you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

 

The disciples could only achieve profound union with Christ when they received the gift of the Spirit. That is why “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name.” Furthermore, what is asked of God in the name of Jesus is freely given.

The things “to ask for” referred to are not for the intention solving the mundane needs of life, but those concerning eternal life: “so that your joy may be complete”.

The second advantage for the believer is, to know fully how much Jesus revealed concerning the Gift of the Spirit from the Father.  In Jesus, believers begin to understand their privilege as children of God. The efficacy of the Christian’s prayer is in the union between Christ and the believer, in whom he loves and whose word he keeps, thus converting the believer into a gracious host for the Holy Trinity.

 

PRAYER

 Father, give us your Spirit, your incomparable gift, makes us wish for what you want, and want for what you wish.

Lord may we always be steadfast and prepared to fulfill your will, so that your friendship will be our complete joy. Amen