St. Isidore, farmer 

＊＊＊ 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

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

 I taught you all this in veiled language, but the time is coming when I shall no longer speak in veiled language, but will tell you plainly of the Father.

 When that day comes, you will ask in my Name and it will not be for me to ask the Father for you,   for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and you believe 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：

Jesus now upgrades the credentials of His disciples. He need not intercede for them to the Father. They are already loved by virtue of the love they have for Jesus. Hence when they loved the Lord, they did not only love Him. They also loved the one who sent Him.

Thus they too will be loved by the Father. So whatever they will ask the Father, it will be given to them as the special ones of God. But does that mean God plays favorites with His creatures? Paralleling the experience of our earthly parents, they love all their children in equal measure.

But there are those that bring more secret delight to them. They try to hide this tender feeling from their other children but it shows from time to time. Perhaps God is also like that. He loves all his creatures in equal measure, but those who are friends of His Son bring a delight in His loving.