Saturday
9th May 2020. 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)
In yesterday’s Gospel passage, Jesus said: “I am the way, the
truth and the life.” Philip could not grasp the full weight of this statement so
he asked: “Lord, show us to the Father, and we shall be satisfied.” In
response, Jesus said to Philip: “Do you not believe that I am in the Father and
the Father in me?”
The doctrine of the Trinity; three persons in one God remains to
this day a mystery. There is just no way to fully explain how we serve only God
who is Father, Son and Holy Spirit at the same time. When we speak of Jesus
Christ as Son, there is a tendency for us to make the mistake of assuming that
since Jesus is Son, He must be somehow less than the Father but this is
impossible as it is just One God.
In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus says to us twice: “Whatever you
ask in my name, I will do it… if you ask anything in my name, I will do it…” In
saying “I will do it,” Jesus is telling us that He is both God and mediator at
the same time. St. Paul will throw more light on this when he said: “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” (Philippians 2:9-11).
This is why we end our prayers with “through Jesus Christ our
Lord.” You might ask, why not “in Jesus’ Name?” Simple answer: There are
persons who answer the name “Jesus” but there is only one “Jesus Christ.” It is
important that we mention the full name; Jesus Christ. There is no name more
powerful as far as this world is concerned.
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 was
surprised to see that the Holy Spirit came upon the so-called as well.
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 4th Week of Easter. Bible Study: Acts 13:44-52,
Psalm 98 and John 14:7-14)
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