Galatians 3 :1-5,
PSALM: Luke 1 :69-70.71-72.73-75,
Luke 11:5-13 Full Readings
Saint John LeonardiPersistence and Firmness in Prayer
Luke in today's Gospel follows up the Lord’s Prayer with a little parable about _persistence in the prayer_ of asking, a parable typical of Luke in that he specialises in parables of individual virtues and vices (the Good Samaritan, the Crafty Steward). Again it features the virtue so important in that world-picture, _hospitality_ . One must picture a single-roomed Palestinian dwelling in which the whole family sleeps, the father being further from the door and out of the draughts! The word in the final sentence translated ‘persistence’ literally means ‘shamelessness’. Whose ‘shamelessness’? Is it the shameless persistence of the visitor or the wish of the householder not to be shamed at refusing hospitality? Therefore, today's Gospel teaches us two aspects, persistence in prayer and Hospital with God as the most hospitable.
Luke then subjoins further parabolic sayings about persistence in prayer which he shares with Matthew 7.1-11. Only at the end Luke slips in the gift of the Holy Spirit instead of Matthew’s more general ‘good things’. The Holy Spirit is the greatest gift of all, stressed by Luke from the beginning (10 times in the Infancy Narrative alone), and especially in the guidance of the early community at every step of the way in the Acts of the Apostles. God, as the most hospitable, gives the greatest gift of all which is the Holy Spirit.
If God is the best hospital and gives more than we can imagine, Why then should we lack the courage to ask for what we need, to knock at his door of mercy and abundance and to seek at his garden of fruits and gifts? The challenge often is with us and not God because we go searching and believing where God has not called us to. The question therefore for us all today is: do I express my faith wrongly by not knocking, seeking, and asking at the right place?
As a greater teacher, Jesus used the illustration of a late-night traveler to teach his listeners an important lesson and also teaches us today about how God treats us in contrast to the kind of treatment we might expect from our neighbors.
The rule of hospitality in biblical times required the cooperation of the entire community in entertaining an unexpected or late-night guest. Whether the guest was hungry or not, a meal would be served. In a small village it would be easy to know who had baked bread that day. Bread was essential for a meal because it served as a utensil for dipping and eating from the common dishes. Asking for bread from one's neighbor was both a common occurrence and an expected favor. To refuse to give bread would bring shame and dishonor because it was a sign of in-hospitality - showing a lack of friendship and generosity.
Today we are invited to reflect on how hospitable we are. Do we welcome everybody who comes to us in need of help, even if we can help or we are unable? It is through hospitality that we receive many blessings because we never know we may be receiving God in those people we welcome. Think about the experience of Abraham welcoming the three men, the woman who welcomed Elijah and cooked for him the only food left for her and his son, all those visits ended in blessings. The thank you and sometimes God bless you statements that a person says after being welcomed bring more happiness and blessings to us even more than the one we have welcomed.
Ask, seek, knock - and it will be given When you are in need, who do you turn to for help? Jesus tells us that God is always ready to answer those who seek him and call upon him with expectant trust in his mercy and kindness. Faith is a prerequisite of course. Jesus states very clearly and simply what we must do: Ask, seek, knock. God our heavenly Father waits upon us. Like a table waiter or friend who comes in the middle of the night, he is always ready to hear our plea and to give us what we need. Do you ask the Father with expectant faith and confident trust in his goodness? Do you seek his guidance and help in your time of need? Do you knock with persistence at his door of mercy and favor? If we treat our heavenly Father with indifference or neglect to ask with confident trust, we may miss the opportunity we have been given to receive his grace and favor and merciful help.
God also gives more than we can ask or expect. In conclusion Jesus makes a startling claim: How much more will the heavenly Father give! The Lord is ever ready to give us not only what we need, but more than we can expect. He gives freely of his Holy Spirit that we may share in his abundant life and joy. Do you approach your heavenly Father with confident trust in his mercy and kindness?
Let us Pray
Heavenly Father, you are merciful, gracious and kind. May I never doubt your mercy and love nor hesitate to seek you with confident trust in order to obtain the gifts, graces, and daily provision I need to live as your beloved child and constant friend. Amen
Be blessed
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