The Feast of St Bernardine OF SIENA OFM, Priest and Doctor of the Church.

The Joy of Answered Prayer. 

"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." (John 16: 23b - 28). 

Saturday 20th May 2023 in the 6th Week in the Easter Season is the feast of St Bernardine of Siena (1380 - 1444). Italian Franciscan Priest.

St Bernardine had a great charism for preaching. During his relatively short life, he was able to evangelize all Italy. Below is a snippet from his biography.

"When other priests consulted him for advice, Bernardine gave them a simple rule: “In all your actions, seek in the first place the kingdom of God and his glory. Direct all you do purely to his honor. Persevere in brotherly charity, and practice first all that you desire to teach others.”

Bernardine came down to us in history for his special love for the holy name of Jesus.

Here is a great quote from St Bernardine on the name of Jesus:

“The name of Jesus, is in fact,

the great foundation of the faith

that turns people into children of God.

The Catholic Faith indeed,

consists in the news of Jesus Christ, as light of the soul, gate of life and foundation of eternal salvation.”

Two important things to note from the key Scripture for this Saturday.

#1. Asking Abba Father for our needs and gifts in the Name of Jesus.

#2. The joy of of answered prayer.

Before the coming of the Holy Spirit, the disciples have not prayed to Abba Father in the Name of Jesus. When Jesus ascended into Heaven, He was no longer available for His disciples to answer their questions and fulfill their needs. But in His Ascension, the Holy Spirit descended and the disciples could ask the Father directly for their needs in the Name of Jesus. 

Jesus promises:  "Whatever you ask the Father in my name he will give you."

If you do not ask with faith, you will never know the joy of answered prayer. It is intense. It is intended to grow your faith.

Prayer is the Activator of Power. God will look silly if He promises to answer all prayers and then equivocate.

"God is not a man, so he does not lie. He is not human, so he does not change his mind. Has he ever spoken and failed to act? Has he ever promised and not carried it through?" (Numbers 23: 19 NTL).

The Holy Trinity wants to share with us the joy of Answered Prayer.

"Let Mary never be far from your Lips and from your heart.

Following her, you will never lose your way.

Praying to her, you will never sink into despair.

Contemplating her, you will never go wrong." (St Bernardine of Siena),

For a Pentecost Novena, click the link below:

http://seekfirst.blogspot.com/2023/05/9-days-pentecost-novena.html?m=1

Daily Bible Verse @ SeekFirstcommunity.com