John 16:23-28 NRSVue
23On that day you will ask nothing of me. Very truly, I tell you, if you ask anything of the Father in my name, he will give it to you. 24Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.
25“I have said these things to you in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but will tell you plainly of the Father. 26On that day you will ask in my name. I do not say to you that I will ask the Father on your behalf, 27for the Father himself loves you because you have loved me and have believed that I came from God., 28I came from the Father and have come into the world; again, I am leaving the world and am going to the Father.”
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Some thoughts on this scripture
Reflection
Lord Jesus, you are the way, the model for humankind. You came from the
Father, and with your death you left the world and went to the Father. That
will be my pattern too. I love this world in which you have placed me; and I
love the glimpses which it offers of your transcendent beauty. My life does
not end here; this is a beginning.
Reflection
We may lose the conviction that it is worthwhile asking for what we want in
prayer. Jesus awaits our asking. Full-hearted asking of God always brings a
gift in return; it may be a specific grace or petition we ask for, or it may
be simply the deep support from God that enables us to cope and to grow even
when life is difficult.
Reflection
I have often come to God with my prayer, asking for what I need and for the
needs of others. I take some time to consider how God has answered my prayer,
allowing my joy to be more complete by recognizing, appreciating and giving
thanks.
Reflection
Jesus still expresses himself in figures of speech. There are aspects of his
presence in my life that I do not fully recognise, that I seem to be unable
to comprehend. I allow Jesus to place me in the presence of his Father who
loves me and I dare to consider my life from this perspective.
Reflection
If I can recall prayers that I made the past, I may be able to recognise how
they were answered. I ask God to bless my recollection and perception.
Reflection
Jesus draws me right into his life, fully and generously offering me the
relationship with his Father that he has.