REFLECTIONS TODAY

In the Bible, the name stands for the person himself. Out of reverence for the name of God (YHWH), the Israelites would use other names or titles: i.e., Adonai or Elohim (“Lord”). At times the Lord God is referred to as Ha-Shem (‘the Name.’) To ask something in the name of somebody means invoking that person in the name of his power and authority. Here, the very person of Jesus — with his power, authority, and relation to the Father — is invoked. His name Yehoshua stands for his person and mission: “He will save his people from their sins” (Mt 1:21). At the completion of his mission, “God greatly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Phil 2:9). In view of this, the Christian believers would use the formula “in Jesus’ name” or “through Christ our Lord” in their prayers, especially in the eucharistic celebration. On earth and now in heaven, Jesus exercises his role as Mediator between God and humanity. Gospel • John 16:23b-28 Jesus said to his disciples: “Amen, amen, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you. Until now you have not asked anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be complete. “I have told you this in figures of speech. The hour is coming when I will no longer speak to you in figures but I will tell you clearly about the Father. On that day you will ask in my name, and I do not tell you that I will ask the Father for you. For the Father himself loves you, because you have loved me and have come to believe that I came from God. I came from the Father and have come into the world. Now I am leaving the world and going back to the Father.” Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2023,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; Fax 632-895-7328; E-mail: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]); Website: [http://www.stpauls.ph](http://www.stpauls.ph).