In today’s gospel, I am struck by the intimacy and depth of the relationship that Jesus encourages with God. Jesus assures his disciples that whatever they ask the Father in his name will be given to them. This promise is not a blank check for our desires but an invitation to align our will with God’s. It’s a reminder that in our prayers, we are not alone; we approach the Father in the name of the Son—in unity with Christ.
The idea that we can approach the Creator of the universe with our concerns and hopes is humbling and comforting. Asking for anything from anyone is a deeply personal act. It can be tough to ask for something significant, as it certainly is for me. It requires a heartfelt sense of trust and faith. Unfortunately for me, I acknowledge how difficult it is to ask for help from anyone, much less God.

Reflecting on my prayer life, I question whether I approach God with the expectation that God will answer my call. Am I seeking joy in alignment with God’s will, or am I clinging to more material sources of happiness? Just as important, do I fully understand and appreciate the role of Jesus as the intermediary between us and the Father? We need to understand and accept a profound mystery that Jesus unveils: the Father’s love for us is so vast that God sent Jesus to make direct communication and relationship with God possible.

As our journeys continue, we’re prompted to examine how we perceive and appreciate this unique connection with God. Do we fully grasp the significance of Jesus’ role in bridging the gap between humanity and divinity? Do we approach God with the genuine recognition of the grace bestowed upon us through Christ? I hope that this reading leads us to deepen our understanding of prayer and inspire a more profound, bold connection with the divine.