Gospel John 16:23-28 The Father loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you most solemnly, anything you ask for from the Father he will grant in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and so your joy will be complete. I have been telling you all this in metaphors, the hour is coming when I shall no longer speak to you in metaphors; but tell you about the Father in plain words. When that day comes you will ask in my name; and I do not say that I shall pray to the Father for you, because the Father himself loves you for loving me and believing that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world and now I leave the world to go to the Father.’ Reflection In this passage, Jesus invites us into direct, personal relationship with the Father through Him. He emphasizes that asking in His name aligns us with God’s love and purpose, and that the Father’s hear...
Gospel John 16:20-23 Your hearts will be full of joy that no-one will take from you Jesus said to his disciples: ‘I tell you most solemnly, you will be weeping and wailing while the world will rejoice; you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will turn to joy. A woman in childbirth suffers, because her time has come; but when she has given birth to the child she forgets the suffering in her joy that a man has been born into the world. So it is with you: you are sad now, but I shall see you again, and your hearts will be full of joy, and that joy no one shall take from you. When that day comes, you will not ask me any questions.’ Reflection Your sorrow now is real, but it is temporary. Just as a mother’s pain gives way to the joy of new life, so too our hearts may endure hardship knowing that a deeper joy awaits when we are united with Jesus. The world may celebrate in the moment, yet true joy is steadfast, rooted in relationship with Him who holds our futures. In that connect...