SUNDAY, JULY 24, 2022
SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME
FIRST READING: GENESIS 18:20-32
SECOND READING: COLOSSIANS 2:12-14
GOSPEL: LUKE 11:1-13
In the Gospel today Jesus not only teaches us that we should pray but how we should pray; knock and keep knocking, trusting in God’s goodness and not giving up. “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” If we take these words in a very literal way, then we can’t avoid the conclusion that Jesus will give us anything and everything we ask for in prayer. But we know this is not what happens. There is hardly anyone who has not prayed hard for one thing or another and his request was not answered. Why is that? Did we simply fail to pray with faith? Will Jesus do whatever we ask of Him when we pray with faith? Certainly not.
He concludes by saying, “if you then, who are wicked know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?” In these words and within the context of everything that Jesus has taught us, it is important to know that there is one thing and one thing alone for which we ought to pray. And when we pray for this one thing in faith, we can be assured of obtaining; the will of God.
If we sincerely and wholeheartedly ask for and seek the will of God, we can be certain that our Lord will give us the Holy Spirit, the best gift of God. St. Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit comes to us when we do not know how to pray or what to ask for. It is the Holy Spirit that leads us into the will of God for our lives. The problem is that too often we end up praying for “Our will be done,” rather than “the will of God be done.” Ultimately, true prayer is about trusting and surrendering to the will of God. The perfect prayer is not the one that changes God, but the one that changes me. That is the key to fulfilment in life, that is the key to true joy and inner peace.
Why does the man looking for bread who goes to his friend at midnight keep knocking? Two reasons: he knows that his friend heard him and he knows that his friend has bread. So, why should we pray and pray without ceasing? Because we know that God hears our prayers and He is able to provide for us. When we pray without ceasing, we not only show our dependence on God, we show our trust in his goodness and faithfulness.
Reflect, today, upon that simple line in the Lord’s prayer – “Thy will be done.” Reflect on how willing you are to accept God’s will for you even when it is against your will and will cause you suffering. Strive to trust in God’s perfect plan for your life and do all you can to surrender to it. If we sincerely pray for the will of God, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit will come to us and lead us into God’s holy will.
Happy Sunday
Fr Chidi Onwuka M,Ss.Cc