The Father in heaven loves us so much. He wants to be known by us not in mere figures but clearly. Anything we ask in Jesus name, anything which gives us true joy, he wants to give us.
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.
We experience the Father through the Holy Spirit. We can know about the Father without receiving the Spirit but it is the Spirit who makes our hearts cry "Abba! Father!" Just as the Spirit descends on Jesus at his baptism and reveals that he is the beloved Son of the Father so too does the Holy Spirit reveal us (and make us) sons and daughters of God in Baptism. He strengthens this bond in confirmation. This is why it is important for Apollos to learn that there is more promised to him than the baptism of John.
He had been instructed in the Way of the Lord and,
with ardent spirit, spoke and taught accurately about Jesus,
although he knew only the baptism of John.
After this experience of the Spirit, Apollos comes to a whole new level in his ability to give great assistance to those who come to believe through grace. He gains new power to proclaim in public that the Christ is Jesus, drawing on Scriptures that now come alive to him because the author of the Scriptures lives within him.
With Paul and with Apollos let us give strength and assistance to our brothers and sisters. Let us welcome the Holy Spirit and invite him to fill us so that as we pursue this task that is set before us the Father can show all of us the way to true joy.
All you peoples, clap your hands;
shout to God with cries of gladness.
For the LORD, the Most High, the awesome,
is the great king over all the earth.
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