Daily Reflection for Monday, May 03, 2021
Peace and Blessings, Friends and Parishioners,
We encourage you to reflect on Monday’s readings at this link:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/050321.cfm
If you prefer to use your own Bible, the readings are:
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8
Responsorial: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5
Gospel: John 14:6-14
Our reflection on Monday’s readings:
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. John 14:13b-14
Has God done everything you have asked of Him? I am relieved to know that I have not received everything I have prayed for.
I have a friend who is a devout Christian. He wanted to buy a new house to better accommodate his growing family and he fervently prayed for a quick sale of his existing home so that he could afford a more spacious house. No matter how he prayed, his house did not sell and eventually he took it off the market. Though he was disappointed, he trusted in God’s goodness. The next year brought the 2008 recession. He was unexpectedly laid off. Though his income was decreased, he was able to make the modest mortgage payments on the house that did not sell. He and his family weathered the adverse circumstances without significant upheaval. He asked for what he wanted and received what was most appropriate for his future circumstances.
In today’s Gospel, Jesus clearly says that if we ask the Father anything in his name, he will do it. Make your request in the name of Jesus and he will do it. To have such a promise from God is extraordinary. At first reading this might seem like finding a genie in a bottle. However, on further reflection, I don’t believe that it is the quick fix that it might appear.
There is a phrase in today’s reading to which I had not previously paid much attention: “…so that the Father may be glorified…” Jesus was always focused on glorifying the father. First and foremost, does my request glorify the Father? If I am praying for things obviously outside His will, then instead of glorifying Him, I am dishonoring Him.
Because God is Love, he does not give gifts that would be detrimental to us or to someone else. His gifts are always good and perfect. As the finite, fallen individual that I am, I lack the knowledge and wisdom to know what is good and perfect. Whereas he can see ultimate consequences, I cannot see beyond my own desires and limited understanding.
Finally, there is the aspect of motive. Why am I asking for what I am asking? Is it a need or a want? Will it draw me closer to God, or take me further away from Him? Is my request rooted in envy or ego gratification? Am I being selfish?
I believe that we receive whatever we ask if we are glorifying God; if what we ask is beneficial to the physical and spiritual well-being of ourselves and others and if our motives are pure.
Let us thank Him today for prayers answered with His always good and perfect gifts and their equally perfect timing.
Peace be with you dear friends,
Melissa Kittrell