Read 1 John 5:14-21, Ps. 149:1-6,9, John 2:1-11
“And this is the boldness we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Our Gospel passage today takes us to that familiar scene of Jesus turning water to wine at the wedding Feast of Cana. Jesus’ presence at a Wedding Feast speaks volumes. First, it shows God’s own approval for marriage as well as Family. Secondly, it shows that whenever we invite Jesus, he never turns down our invitation. Thirdly, it shows that Jesus cares about our happiness and welfare meaning, we should always pray with confidence and great expectation.
This brings us to our First Reading this morning. St. John says: “This is the confidence which we have in the Son of God, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have obtained the requests made of him.”
Whenever we pray, we shouldn’t worry about whether or not God heard us or whether he is capable of granting it to us, we should rather be asking if what we are asking for is according to God’s will. We may be asking for bread forgetting that Jesus has said that “man shall not live by bread alone…” We may be asking for wealth so that we can oppress others or behave like The Rich Fool (Luke 12:13-20). We could be praying for the death of our enemies when Jesus himself never wished his enemies to die.
God knows everything about us. He knows what we lack and what we need. Yet he insists that we should ask, seek and knock. (Matthew 7:7) Prayer is never about commanding God; it is pleading with God knowing that He is not our servant but our Father. Hence, obedience to God should naturally proceed from our prayer. After pleading with Jesus, Mary said: “Do whatever He tells you.” How can you be asking from God when you are not ready to do whatever He tells you?
It is one thing to believe God can answer your prayer but know that the answer you seek will come from your obedience to His commands. It would be a contradiction if we fast and pray yet we allow sin to rule our lives. Imagine what would have happened if the servants refused to obey the voice of Jesus? Imagine if they refused to fill those jars with water? St. James would say faith without works is dead. (James 2:26). The meaning of this is faith without obedience to God is dead.
Let us pray: Heavenly Father, double my confidence in you. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday before Epiphany, Bible Study: 1 John 5:14-21, Ps. 149:1-6,9, John 2:1-11).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus Abu