"When you pray, say, Father, hallowed be your name . . . "
Luke 11: 1-13
The Word: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/072422.cfm
Trust is an important value that is essential in our human relationships but often we are rightly cautious of what may seem “too good to be true.” If it sounds too good to be true, as the saying goes, it probably is.
For some people the same principle is applied in our
spiritual life. That is, belief in God
as all loving, merciful, and caring is probably just too good to be true. Some might even sadly go so far as to say
that imagining a God to be such is merely a psychological projection of our
deepest longing for better parents and in particular for an improved version of
our fathers or a way to deal with the dysfunction of life. Yet, our readings this Sunday uncover the
very nature of God to be one so present to us and attentive to our life that we
can turn to him in a very personal way.
This God, as Jesus presented to us, is a like a Father who assures us
that our needs are heard.
But, let’s face it, and I include myself in this of
course, at times we question the value of prayer. It is frustrating at times since either God
seems to be deaf, distant, uncaring, or aloof from our desires and requests in
prayer; or so it seems. St. Augustine states that God will delay in giving us
what we want because he wants our hearts to expand to be able to receive
it. That’s worth reflection, isn’t it?
However, this weekend’s readings offer us a more assuring
answer to that same question. We are offered both the example of Abraham and
three teachings of Jesus on prayer that give us confidence that God is always good
for his word. And the most significant ask we can make of God is to receive the
Holy Spirit. In your prayer, do you ask
for the Spirit? As the gospel ends we hear: “. . . how much more will the heavenly Father give
the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.” (Lk 11: 13).
In Genesis we hear of the plea-bargain between Abraham
and God as they walk towards the infamous city of Sodom. The familiarity
between Abraham and God is impressive and he is certainly persistent in his
asking. God has threatened to destroy this city because of their great
sinfulness so Abraham steps in as an advocate for the very few good people who might
remain in Sodom. He appeals to God’s
better characteristics of mercy and forgiveness. I love the complement Abraham
extends to God in this pursuit on behalf of the people: “Far be it from you to
do such a thing . . .” Flattery will get you somewhere.
How far will God’s mercy go? He knows that God does not desire destruction
but will honor goodness. God is at
heart, mercy and forgiveness. Sadly, poor Sodom was so corrupt that God had no
choice apparently.
Jesus’ Gospel stories of the traveler in need who knocks
on the door in the middle of the night for some bread is similar. It seems the midnight
traveler is persistent as Abraham in his requests for bread.
In ancient times the mark of each town would be the
measure of its hospitality. It was
expected, in fact required that food be given to travelers who arrive. It was a matter of honor to be marked as a
town of welcome and hospitality so there is a reputation to uphold here.
The lesson seems to be more the assurance of the traveler
that his request will be answered, persistent or not. It reveals to us the nature of God himself –
“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be
opened.” In other words, we can be
assured that our prayer (request) our “daily bread” as we hear in the lesson on
prayer that Jesus’ teaches will be heard and answered.
But this daily bread we seek is not what you might find
in your grocery or favorite bakery. It
is a bread that, as Bishop Robert Barron states, a “super-substantial”
bread. A bread not unlike the Eucharist
that sustains us throughout our lives. So, in this case, think assurance rather
than persistence as a lesson.
Still, we become frustrated in prayer. We become
disappointed in prayer. We become confused, tired or lax or only occasional
with our prayer? I pray and nothing in
particular happens, least alone what I have prayed for is not granted.
Maye the last example Jesus’ gives is an answer to this
confusion. No matter how old we are, how
successful, how educated or influential, we are all still children of God. And being children, we don’t always know what
is best for us so we often confuse our wants with our needs. We ask not because God needs to know, he
already does, but we seek because we need to know what God desires for us.
Clearly, this is a God who has our best interest at heart
and we don’t always know what we need.
What we need is a fuller sharing in the Holy Spirit and that is the
greatest gift we can receive. To discern
what God’s will is for us would be a great, an awesome, answer to any prayer.
So, maybe it’s good to ask ourselves, how do I pray? Can I
do so in an attitude of forgiveness and trust? How regular is prayer for me?
Daily? Only when in trouble? Do I feel a relationship with God that is
friendly, fearful, fantastic, distant, estranged, or …?
How I answer those questions may reveal the greatest
needs of my life – and those I bring to prayer. Our Father cares for us and so
we pray . . .
O, God, protector of those who hope in you,
without whom nothing has firm foundation or is holy,
bestow in abundance your mercy upon us
and grant that, with you as our ruler and guide,
we may use the good things that pass,
in such a way as to hold fast even now
to those that ever endure.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God, for ever and ever
(Collect of Mass)
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