First Reading (Acts 18,23-28)
Reading of the Acts of the Apostles.
Paul remained in Antioch for some time. Then he set out again, successively traveling through the regions of Galatia and Phrygia, strengthening all his disciples. A Jew named Apollo, a native of Alexandria, arrived in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, versed in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord, and with great enthusiasm he spoke and taught accurately about Jesus, although he only knew the baptism of John. Then he began to speak with great conviction in the synagogue. Upon hearing him, Priscilla and Aquila took him with them and, more accurately, explained to him the way of God.
As he wanted to go to Achaia, the brothers supported him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. By the grace of God, Apollo’s presence there was very useful to the faithful. In fact, he vigorously refuted the Jews in public, demonstrating from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Messiah.
– Word of the Lord.
– Thank God.
Gospel (John 16,23b-28)
— PROCLAMATION of the Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John.
— Glory to you, Lord.
At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you. Until now you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive; so that your joy may be complete.
I told you these things in figurative language. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures, but I will speak clearly to you 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 loved me and you believed that I came from God. I came from the Father and came into the world; and again I depart the world and go to the Father.”
— Word of Salvation.
— Glory to you, Lord.
Reflecting the Word of God
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
Today, I would like to begin our reflection with a simple but profound question: have you ever experienced the joy of having your prayers answered? I want to invite you to reflect on this very important topic for our lives: prayer and God’s loving response. All of us, at some point, seek divine answers to our worries, desires and difficulties. And in the biblical passages presented to us, we find a source of wisdom and guidance for our journey of faith.
In the first reading, from the book of Acts of the Apostles, we follow the journey of Paul, the great evangelizer. He traveled tirelessly, bringing the message of Christ to all people. Paul found in his mission a path of service and dedication, but also of deep communion with God through prayer. He knew that prayer was the key to manifesting God’s power in his life and ministry.
Dear believers, like Paul, we are called to persevere in prayer. Through it, we open the doors of our hearts to God’s transforming action. But it is important to remember that prayer is not just a means to obtain answers, but rather a personal and intimate encounter with the heavenly Father. It is a moment of dialogue with the one who knows us deeply and loves us unconditionally.
In the Gospel according to John, Jesus reveals to us a powerful truth about prayer. He tells us: “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask the Father anything in my name, he will give it to you. Hitherto you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, so that your joy may be full.” (John 16:23b-24). These words of Jesus are an invitation to launch our supplications to the Father, trusting in His love and providence.
Imagine yourself for a moment in a garden, surrounded by lush flowers. Each flower represents a prayer you have said. Some were answered promptly, bringing joy and gratitude to your heart. Others seem to have been forgotten, remaining like unopened buds, waiting for the right moment to blossom. But regardless of the answer we receive, it is essential to remember that God’s will is perfect and that He always acts in our best interests.
To better understand the power of prayer, let us use a simple metaphor: the tree. A tree begins as a small, seemingly insignificant seed. But over time, it grows, roots deep into the ground and stretches its branches skyward. In the same way, our prayers are like seeds that, when sown in the fertile soil of faith, germinate and grow before the eyes of God.
However, just as a tree needs constant care, watering and attention, our prayer life also requires discipline and perseverance. We often become discouraged when faced with apparent delays or responses that differ from those expected. But in these moments, we need to remember that God’s time is not our time. He knows the best time to act in our lives and surprise us with His grace.
Dear brothers and sisters, prayer is an invitation to trust God in every moment of our lives. When we pray, we recognize our dependence on Him and place ourselves in His loving hands. It is through prayer that we find strength to face daily challenges, comfort in the midst of tribulations and hope even in the most difficult situations.
Therefore, I invite each of you to revive your prayer life. Dedicate time each day to be alone with God, to talk to Him like a close friend. Be persistent in your supplications, even if they seem not to be answered immediately. Trust that God is working on his behalf at the right time and will reveal his will.
Furthermore, it is important to remember that prayer is not just a monologue, but also a moment of attentive listening to the voice of God. Sometimes we expect God to speak to us in grand and spectacular ways, but often He speaks to us in soft whispers and between the lines of life’s circumstances. Let us be open and receptive to God’s answers, even if they come in unexpected ways.
Our prayer life can also be strengthened by reading and meditating on the Holy Scriptures. Just like Paul, who encountered Apollos, an eloquent and powerful man in the Scriptures, we can be inspired and learn from the stories and teachings contained in the Word of God. The Bible is an inexhaustible treasure of divine wisdom, capable of illuminating our paths and guiding us in our decisions.
To illustrate this, allow me to tell the story of a young man named Daniel. Daniel was a university student who faced doubts and uncertainty about his future. He sought to discern God’s will for his career and personal life. One day, while reading the Bible, he came across Jesus’ words: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).
These words deeply touched Daniel’s heart. He realized he was putting his quest for success and personal fulfillment above his quest for God. From that moment on, he decided to prioritize his prayer life and seek God’s will in all areas of his life. And in time, Daniel experienced the peace and divine guidance he longed for.
Dear brothers and sisters, like Daniel, we are called to seek first the Kingdom of God in our lives. This means putting God at the center of all our decisions, allowing his will to guide our steps. When we do this, we find that our prayers are answered in ways that exceed our expectations.
As we conclude our reflection, I would like to encourage you to turn what we learned today into practical action. Here are some simple guidelines for applying the principles of prayer in our daily lives:
Establish a daily prayer time: Dedicate a special moment in your day to connect with God. It can be in the morning, afternoon or night. The important thing is to create this habit of communion with the Father.
Be specific in your petitions: When praying, be clear and specific about what you are seeking from God. Remember, He knows your heart, but He wants you to express your needs and desires honestly.
Wait patiently: We do not always receive immediate answers to our prayers. Be patient and trust in God’s timing. He knows what is best for us and will respond when the time is right.
Give thanks for answers: When God answers your prayers, be grateful. Gratitude is an attitude that opens the doors to more blessings in our lives.
Be open to God’s answers: Remember that God may respond in different ways than we expect. Be aware of the answers He can give through people, circumstances or even silently in your heart.
Dear brothers and sisters, prayer is a wonderful gift God has given us to connect with Him and experience His love and care in our lives. May we take advantage of this opportunity and cultivate a life of fervent prayer, confident that God hears and responds to our prayers. May our communion with our heavenly Father strengthen us, guide us, and fill us with joy and hope. Amen.
