Pesky Little Speck

Memorial of Saints Philip and James, Apostles

First Reading: 1 Corinthians 15:1-8

I am reminding you, brothers and sisters,
of the Gospel I preached to you,
which you indeed received and in which you also stand.
Through it you are also being saved,
if you hold fast to the word I preached to you,
unless you believed in vain.
For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received:
that Christ died for our sins
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he was buried;
that he was raised on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures;
that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve.
After that, he appeared to more
than five hundred brothers and sisters at once,
most of whom are still living,
though some have fallen asleep.
After that he appeared to James,
then to all the Apostles.
Last of all, as to one born abnormally,
he appeared to me.

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 19:2-3, 4-5

R. (5) Their message goes out through all the earth.
The heavens declare the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
Day pours out the word to day;
and night to night imparts knowledge.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.
Not a word nor a discourse
whose voice is not heard;
Through all the earth their voice resounds,
and to the ends of the world, their message.
R. Their message goes out through all the earth.

Gospel: John 14:6-14

Jesus said to Thomas, “I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.
If you know me, then you will also know my Father.
From now on you do know him and have seen him.”
Philip said to him,
“Master, show us the Father, and that will be enough for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you for so long a time
and you still do not know me, Philip?
Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.
How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?
Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me?
The words that I speak to you I do not speak on my own.
The Father who dwells in me is doing his works.
Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me,
or else, believe because of the works themselves.
Amen, amen, I say to you,
whoever believes in me will do the works that I do,
and will do greater ones than these,
because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in my name, I will do,
so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it.”

NAB

There is power in the name of Jesus. We know this and Jesus, even tells us so in today's Gospel, "If you ask anything of me in my name, I will do it." But, do we know it and practice it?

That's a different thing. I have seen amazing things in my life, even miracles performed all in the name is Jesus and yet, there is still this pesky little speck of doubt deep down in my heart that isn't quite convinced.

Is it that I am not convinced or that I doubt Jesus would do something extraordinary for me if I ask?

Jesus, Jesus, Jesus. Seeking Your help always feels like such a burden. In fact, that is exactly what Christ asks us to do: "Ask anything in my name, and I will do it."

The root of my fear of disappointment is really found deep in myself. I am disappointing. I need to view the Lord with a different lens as His ways are not my own, and I need to trust that more. I need to stop looking for answered prayers in my life, rather keep my head bowed in prayer, leaving my petitions before God and trusting in the power of Jesus.

My faith needs to grow. My eyes need to be widened. My heart needs to be softened. My life needs to be Yours, Jesus. There is power in the name of Jesus. Banish this speck of doubt in my heart, Oh Lord.

My life needs to be Yours, Jesus. There is power in Your name.Click to tweet

Is there a pesky speck of doubt in your heart? What is holding you back from the power of Jesus? Pray on these things and leave them before God.

Cassie Kent is a wife, mom to two kiddos, believes in celebrating creativity and embraces the present moment. She loves throwing a party and has a heart for hospitality. You can find out more about her here.