The Most Powerful Name is the Name of Jesus Christ.

Saturday 16^th May 2019. Read Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98 and John 14:7-14

_*“Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it, that the Father may be glorified in the Son; if you ask anything in my name, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)*_

I remember the funny little games we played with our siblings back in the days. When a younger child wants his or her elder one to do something, knowing fully well that they wouldn’t like to do it, they would add that powerful phrase: “Daddy said I should tell you that…” just to ensure strict compliance.

Even in real life, we all know the power of getting endorsements from high ranking persons in our society. People respect authority; names work wonders. Indeed, even to get a job today in an economically harsh climate as ours, you have to know someone who knows someone. Your university degree might not speak for you but someone’s name, a phone call or one signature would do the magic.

The bottom line in all of these is that names are powerful. If you are to get something significant in life then you must know certain significant names and those names must be relevant to the persons capable of getting you what you want. Even when we demand something from God, we must mention a name that God respects. As our Gospel passage today teaches us, that name is *Jesus Christ.*

Jesus says: “Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it.” St. Paul elaborates further in his letter to the Philippians when he said: “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:9-11.

There is no name as powerful as the name of Jesus Christ. God respects that name. Even demons tremble when we mention that name. This is the reason why we address all our prayer THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. Whenever we pray in the name of Jesus, we should be confident that what we asking would come.

In today’s first reading, Paul meets with stiff opposition from some jealous Jews and this paved way for Paul to direct his attention to the Gentiles. A few days ago, we read of how Peter saw a trance when God symbolically told him to minister to Gentiles as well. Peter obeyed and discovered the same Holy Spirit that they received also came upon the Gentiles.

Dear friends, if we who claim to know God engage in fighting ourselves as the Jews fought Paul and Barnabas, the Gospel will go to others more deserving of it.

Let us pray: Lord Jesus, increase my faith in the power of your name. Amen

*Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 4^th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 13:44-52, Psalm 98 and John 14:7-14).