Whatever You Ask

May 11, 2013

Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter

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.  Acts 18:24-26

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.  John 16:23b-24

Piety

Take Lord, and receive all my liberty, my memory, my understanding, and my entire will, all that I have and possess. Thou hast given all to me. To Thee, O lord, I return it. All is Thine, dispose of it wholly according to Thy will. Give me Thy love and thy grace, for this is sufficient for me.  (Ignatius Loyola)

Study

We live in the self-improvement culture.  Go to any bookstore – brick and mortar or internet – and browse the Self-Help sections.  You will find motivational self-help.  Mental health self help. Abuse.  Creativity.  Death and Greif.  Dreams.  Eating Disorders.  Personal transformation.  Stress management.  Financial independence. Time management.  You name it and we can find a way out of any issue all on our own.  Mother, I can do it myself.

Yet, that is NOT the way the Good News teaches us.  Take Apollos.  He was pretty good at preaching.  Yet. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they gave him a short primer – probably the first “Cursillo?” Then he went about preaching with even more fervor and authenticity.  Apollos did not react as if he were a know-it-all.  He did not say, “If you are so smart, then do it yourself.”  He took the guidance and then went about his mission.

Jesus teaches us the same thing.  We cannot survive without the community and the Trinity.  When we find we are lacking something, He tells us to ask the Father in His name.

Action

In what are you lacking?  In what do you have abundance?

For what you are lacking, turn to the Father or your neighbors and ask for help.

For what you are blessed with abundance, see what you can give away to others directly, through thrift stores or your parish.