The Apostles’ Witness: Our Questions, Christ’s Answer
Fr. Hugh Gillespie, SMM
The Apostles’ Witness: Our Questions, Christ’s Answer
This Homily reflects on the deep significance of the apostles’ witness . . .
. . . not merely as conveyors of Jesus’ teachings, but as those who voiced the questions all hearts ask, receiving direct answers from Christ for the benefit of all future believers. It centers around a Gospel reading from the Last Supper where Jesus emphasizes his oneness with the Father, asserting that to know him is to truly know God.
Praying “in Jesus’ Name”
Jesus prepares his apostles for their mission after his resurrection, entrusting them to act and speak in his name. The homily clarifies that praying “in Jesus’ name” is not a formula for guaranteed results but a call to be united in faith, to pray in his spirit, and to live in alignment with his will.
Only then does prayer truly become effective. The homily also encourages the faithful to embrace the apostolic mission: to be Christ’s presence in the world through unity, witness, and authentic prayer.
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The Apostles’ Witness: Our Questions, Christ’s Answer
The Exhortation to the Apostles: French Painter: James Tissot: 1886
Part of the online collection of the Brooklyn Museum.
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Gospel Reading: John 14: 6-14
First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15: 1-8
One of the things that is important to take into account with regard to the witness of the apostles is not simply that their preaching goes out to the entire world and that they heard things from Jesus that they pass on to us, but that they had the privilege and very important position of asking the questions that our hearts naturally have.
The Apostles’ Witness: Our Questions, Christ’s Answer
