A reading from the holy Gospel according to John 14:7-14
Jesus said to his disciples: "If you know me, then you will also know my Father. From now on you do know him and have seen him." Philip said to Jesus, "Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you for so long a time and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me is doing his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or else, believe because of the works themselves. Amen, amen, I say to you, whoever believes in me will do the works that I do, and will do greater ones than these, because I am going to the Father. And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it."
REFLECTION
My siblings and I attended an elementary school where we would eventually end up having the same teacher. As mothers and fathers mistakenly call us by our siblings’ name, sometimes our teachers would make the same mistake. One school year, I had a seasoned math teacher who surprised me by calling me “Bryan”. I did not mind being called by my sister’s name, but I wasn’t too happy to be called by my brother’s name. I remember this quite clearly, because this was the only time I was called by my older brother’s name. He was old enough that my classmates never saw him at school and did not know who the teacher was calling. We laugh about it now, but names are important. However, none so important as the name of Jesus.
I suppose Jesus’ disciples knew him very well, but Jesus seemed to be pushing them farther along in their understanding and faith. He was constantly teaching and showing them the way to eternal life with the Father. If we look at Jesus, we should see the Father. How awesome is it to have Jesus directly showing us the Father in Him. Jesus glorified the Father by his actions and his speech and so should we.
“And whatever you ask in my name, I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." We have been given permission, not only to understand our God, but to also use His name. Call on Jesus’ name and He will do it, if it glorifies the Father. We should ask ourselves, “Will answers to our petitions glorify the Father?” Every prayer Jesus answers will give glory to the Father. Make no mistake, call on His name, the most powerful name of Jesus, to give God glory.
