The Possibilities In Christ

 Reflection on Today's Readings, Saturday of 6th Week of Easter, Year B, May 15th, 2021
Texts: Acts 18:23-28; Ps. 47:2-3.8-10; John 16:23-28
Today's Readings remind us of possibilities: the possibility to know more, the possibility to grow, the possibility to become better. We are bundles of unlimited possibilities; the future that lies ahead of us is unlimited. The readings call us to aspire for more; they call us to greater height. Jesus Christ reorientated His disciples, today, in the gospel reading. He told them  about new way into the heart of God, new way to access spiritual wealth, new art of prayer. He says,  “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father, he will give it to you in my name. Until now you have asked nothing in my name; ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be full." What Jesus revealed to His disciples is secret, the hidden wisdom of God . In the words of Paul: "It is the mysterious wisdom of God that we  talk, the wisdom that was hidden, which God predestined to be for our glory before the ages began. No of the rulers of this age recognised it; for if they had recognised it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory" (1Cor. 2:7-8).
Faith in Jesus grants us direct access into the heart of God; for He says, "In that day you will ask in my name; and I do not say to you that I shall ask the Father for you; for the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have believed that I came from the Father." The faith in Jesus is a loving relationship with Him as the Son of God. The loving relationship with Jesus wins for us the love of His Father; by our love for Him, the Son, His Father becomes our Father. Hence, in Jesus, we have a new status, the children of God. Being His children, we have direct access to Him. We can now see how the faith in Jesus unlocks for us spiritual wealth. Today Jesus reveals to us the lofty possibility we have in Him. We have in Jesus unlimited possibilities.
Today's first reading also reminds us of possibility to grow and to know more. Paul is said to go about strengthening the faithful; he helped them to grow and be more firm in faith. No one who does not need to be strengthened. The parishioners strengthen the faith of their priests through their commitment to God and Church's activities, and encouragement. To say that priests also strengthen the faith of their parishioners is to affirm the obvious; priests live to build the faith of those entrusted to them. As long as we are alive, there is no time we will stop needing to be strengthened. We need to grow, so we need to be strengthened.
The first reading also affirms the possibility to know more. It speaks of a Jew named Apollos to whom Priscilla and Aquila expounded the way of God more accurately. Though Apollos was eloquent, well versed in scriptures, fervent in spirit and taught accurately, he only knew the baptism of John and needed more instructions on the faith. The faith is simple and yet full of mystery that will continue to unfold before us till death. We cannot fathom the whole mystery of God; the mystery of God is inexhaustible. Let us continue to explore the possibilities we have in Jesus.

We thank You, God our Father, for the possibilities we have in your Son, Jesus Christ; grant us the grace to explore the possibilities.  Amen.

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke