ROGATE: Homily

“PRAY YE”
Saint John 16. 23-30

ROGATE: 5 May Anno Domini 2013

Fr JW Watson SSP

In The Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost

   There were many times when your Lord spoke in parables and proverbial truisms. It was usually to preach the Law against smarmy self-righteous know-it-alls such as Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees and hypocritical Lutherans.  Sometimes the Lord even employed “deeper meanings within meanings” when He spoke to His own Disciples. When the Lord’s words were not crystal clear and transparent to man’s reason, rational and high functioning brain-power and sensory inputs, they were nonetheless as direct and clear as a mother’s love to a newborn babe.  The faith of the “little ones” and the simple—saved by Grace, knew and grasped the Messiah’s message!

    What “day” is it that the Lord is talking about when He told the “12” that, when it came, they would ask Him nothing, but rather ask the invisible Father—The Father of their risen Lord and God? 

   The Christ is first talking about the day we will celebrate this Thursday evening at 7:00 pm called The Feast of the Ascension of Our Lord.  He is also talking about every day for His flock after that—including right now—THIS DAY!

   When Jesus was present visibly to the senses, right in front of the eyeballs, one didn’t ask the Rabbi “things” in “His Name” but rather simply asked Him to His face—His own countenance (which looked like the Blessed Virgin’s Son; His Human Nature in His humility). 

   Now, post His return to the Right Hand of Power, His disciples still have Him present, really present, but invisible to empirical aural communication. Now the Apostles, all the flock, exercise their Holy Spirit fueled gift of faith by praying to God.  You pray to your Heavenly Father, Jesus’ Father, IN HIS NAME.  You invoke, call upon,  and ask for ALL mediation and intercession IN HIS NAME.

   Because The Christ loves you, His Father loves you. The Father loved you before the beginning too; as did the Son.  The Father loved you in such a way that He sent His Son to be Jesus. Jesus means Savior. Jesus has saved you by giving His life for you; by then giving His Body and Blood for you in suffering and death.

   God promises you joy not earthly happiness. Joy is a spiritual condition of Christ-conscious contentment.  You have communion with your Heavenly Father, His Son, and the Spirit. You have Peace which goes beyond the scientific, the world, and the definable.  Christ gives you brothers and sisters who are to love you as themselves and bear your burdens with you and for you.

  Pray ye!  Pray to your God and Lord.  Ask the Father for the things you need IN The Name of Jesus.  You need Grace.  You need faith.  You need perseverance and strength to the end of your days—God willing martyrdom.  You need Jesus’ Presence for you. You need the forgiveness of sin, your daily sins, and the blessed assurance of salvation.  You need life, right now, and heavenly splendor hereafter. Pray ye!

In The Name of The Father and of + The Son and of The Holy Ghost