“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 so that you might have peace in me. In the world you will have trouble, but take courage, I have conquered the world” (Jn 16:24,33)
“Ask and you will receive.” These words of Jesus to his disciples are also for us. These two words, “ask” and “receive,” are synonymous with faith and truth, two important principles that Jesus taught his disciples.
Faith plays an important role in the life of the believer; without faith, we cannot even approach God. Faith is an infused virtue given by God. We cannot acquire it on our own. With the virtue of faith, we can draw near to God and confidently present our needs to him, knowing that we are heeded.
Jesus leaves us a simple but effective formula to ask for anything in prayer to the Father: “Ask in my name.” In the name of Jesus there is power, there is peace, there is full joy, and if it is God’s will, he will give us what we ask for.
When we call on the name of Jesus, confident in the truth of his word, then we experience peace. Jesus tells us that in the world we will encounter troubles, wars and conflicts. It is true today that the world is submerged in hardship and violence on all sides. When the leaders of the world are unable to restore peace and justice, we always turn to God, for he is our consistent help.
This is why he tells us, “Take courage, I have conquered the world”; to not despair, to not be afraid, but to trust in him because he has already overcome the world.
During the month of September, let us pray with Archbishop Samuel J. Aquila for the nation of Ukraine; for peace and an end to the war, and for the Ukrainian Catholic Church.
“Again, amen, I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything for which they are to pray, it shall be granted to them by my heavenly Father. For where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them” (Mt 18:19-20). Let us faithfully unite in prayer with our archbishop’s prayer intentions and with the people of Ukraine, in the holy name of Jesus. Amen!
