Saturday of the Sixth Week of Easter Yrs 1 and 2 2026

Title

Ask in my name

Outline

Christians are supposed to be relationally connected

Horizontally, they are supposed to be in non-competitive supportive relationships

Paul’s colleagues and supporters run into Apollos. He was apparently a better speaker than Paul and more highly educated, especially in the Alexandrian use of scripture. Paul had a high school Greek education. Priscilla and Aquila were not threatened, but filled in his gaps in sacramental and historical knowledge and commended him to other Pauline churches, which he greatly helped using gifts differing from Pauls. Paul never criticizes Apollos, only those who tried to use him as a party leader. He welcomed all gifts, so long as they are used for the unity of the church.

Vertically we should relate to God in Jesus’ name, as an alter Christus

People love to stress that “whatever you ask the Father . . . he will give you.” They leave out the “in my name,” the being one with Jesus, the asking only that which Jesus would ask for us, the asking in Jesus stead from our union with him. The point is that we are loved by the Father because of our union with Jesus. Our relationship is directed vertically, not towards the world (“I want”).

There are two nuggets to chew on

Using me as an example, do I rejoice and thank God that the man who replaced me in the Ordinariate Chancery has far better developed gifts than I and is doing a far better job? I do rejoice, for I want the Ordinariate to be healthy and develop well. Jesus will also use me where he wants me for his glory and honor.

Am I focusing on my relationship with Jesus so I become more bound to him heart and soul, so that what I ask is indeed in his name? That is what I need to be concerned with in life. It is my reputation with the Father that counts and there we can all become more and more like Jesus and so be more and more loved by the Father as we enter into the Trinitarian unity.