In His Name, In His Way

Readings 051626

Jesus tells us, 

“Ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete.”

 

But somewhere along the way,
many have reshaped the Way of God
into their own way—
a way that pulls us from the Church
the Father sent His Son for,
the Church Christ Himself began,
the Church the Holy Spirit still guides..

And so prayer becomes a battleground.
People tell you you’re not praying “right,”
not praying “in the name of Jesus,”
as if prayer were a slogan
instead of a surrender.
But every time we pray
in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
we are stepping back into God’s Way—
the Way Christ taught,
the Way the apostles lived,
the Way the Spirit still guards.

Scripture gives us Apollos—
eloquent, sincere, on fire for the Lord.
He taught boldly,
but he only knew part of the story.
Priscilla and Aquila didn’t drag him away
to start something new.
They didn’t build a “better” version of the faith.
They simply took him aside
and led him deeper into the Way of God.

And that is the invitation today:
to notice where the world
tries to pull us off the path,
to return to the Church Christ founded,
to pray with the fullness of the Trinity,
and to let the Holy Spirit
keep us rooted in the Way
that leads to joy made complete.

Prayer 

Lord Jesus, draw me back
to the Way of God.

Keep me rooted in the Church
You founded in love.

Guard my heart from voices
that pull me from Your path.

Let the Trinity shape
every prayer I offer.

Give me grace to walk gently
with all who seek You.

Lead me to the joy
only You can complete.
Amen.

The Joy No One Can Take

 Readings 051526

Ministry has its extremes.
Some days I am preparing couples for marriage,
baptizing babies,
teaching youth,
walking with people into new life in Christ.

These are the bright places—
the beginnings,
the births,
the moments when grace feels like sunlight.

And then there are the other days.
Funerals.
Grief.
Broken hearts.
The lonely rooms of the dying.
The quiet tears of those who feel forgotten.

But in the middle of all of it—
God gives me these holy moments:
the children after school Mass
who run up just to hug me,
the elderly disabled veteran in the nursing home
who whispers, “I love you, Deacon… thank you for visiting me.”

And in those moments,
I hear the Lord say:
“Do not be afraid.
Go on speaking, and do not be silent,
for I am with you.”
“I will see you again,
and your hearts will rejoice,
and no one will take your joy away from you.”

So do not let your life,
your joy,
be crushed by what you do for God.

Because what you do for the sake of Christ
reaches farther,
heals deeper,
and touches more souls
than you will ever know.

And the joy He gives—
no one can take from you.

Prayer

Lord Jesus,
steady my heart to be your witness

Lift my joy when I walk with new life,
hold me close in every sorrow.

Bless each hug,
each tear,
each whispered thank‑you.

Keep me faithful
to speak Your name
without fear.

And let Your presence
be the joy
no one can take away.

Amen