Representing a new covenant of prayer.

Jesus has become our advocate precisely.

Jesus indicates that the Father loves believers directly,

and this access is a result of that love and faith in 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; 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."

 

Gospel Reflection ：

Your will be done.

"Whatever you ask the Father in my name, He will give you." I wish it were that simple: we ask and shall receive.

It is relatively easy, at least when it comes to asking. However, waiting to receive

what we have requested can be challenging, especially when what we seek is urgent or a matter of life and death.

Indeed, many things we have asked God for have not resulted in the answers we anticipated.

Yet, Jesus underscores the importance of asking. The act of asking itself is a concrete expression of faith.

 

Initially, we ask so that our will may be done. But when we receive God's response to our prayers,

His will is fulfilled, provided we openly accept what He wishes to give us.

So let us express our faith in Him today by humbly stating our petitions,

and for whatever we receive in response to our prayers, let us say, "Your will be done, Lord, not mine."