Whatever you ask the Father in my name

The name is not simply a word or set of words by which a person is known, addressed, or referred to. The name represents the very person of the bearer. In the Old Testament, out of respect for the divine name, the name of the Lord God (Yhwh) is not pronounced, and God is given other “titles” like Adonai or Elohim. God is also referred to as Ha-shem (“the Name”).

In the Gospel, Jesus enjoins his disciples to ask anything of the Father in his name. Jesus speaks of “on that day” (v 26) when, after his passion and death, he will be glorified. The name will not simply be “Jesus from Nazareth, the son of Joseph.” Henceforth, it will be Jesus Christ,

Lord and Messiah. St.

Paul writes, “Because of this (obedience to death), God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend…” (Phil 2:9-10). The Father will respond to the disciples’ prayer “in his name” because it is as though Jesus were the one making the prayer.

In our liturgical prayers, our petitions are addressed to the Father, and we end with the words, “We ask this through Jesus Christ, our Lord.” This is the recognition that we cannot have any contact with God by our own selves, nor can we receive blessings by our own merits. We pray through Jesus, with Jesus, and in Jesus. And when we pray in this way, we pray with joy because we are confident that we will receive the desired response.

First Reading • Acts 18:23-28

After staying in Antioch some time, Paul left and traveled in orderly sequence through the Galatian country and Phrygia, bringing strength to all the disciples.

A Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, an eloquent speaker, arrived in Ephesus. He was an authority on the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and, with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he knew only the baptism of John. He began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the Way of God more accurately. And when he wanted to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples there to welcome him. After his arrival he gave great assistance to those who had come to believe through grace. He vigorously refuted the Jews in public, establishing from the Scriptures that the Christ is Jesus.

Gospel • John 16:23b-28

Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father.

On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.”