The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, July 29, 2001
The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138:1-3,6-8
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on today's Scripture:
How much more will the Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask
him." (see Luke 11:13)
Today's readings may lead some to mistakenly conclude that through
persistent prayer we can change God's mind and direct His actions. God
grants only that which works to the ultimate good of all persons; and
He alone, who sees, knows and does all, can determine this. If our
prayers aren't answered as we wish, it is because we have asked amiss.
On the purely human level, Jesus tells us that through annoying
repetition we may gain what we want from one another. But in our
prayers (the Our Father) Jesus tells us first to acknowledge our
Father's sovereign holiness over us sinners who need to forgive and so
be forgiven; then we are to will what He wills, that we may bring His
kingdom to fruition in this world.
We can do the latter if when we "ask", "seek" and "knock", our focus
remains on God, not on our narrow concerns; for we are essentially
spiritual beings temporarily housed in physical bodies. These earthly
lives cannot be fulfilled apart from Him who breathed life into our
nostrils. We who are sinners reconciled to the Father by Christ's
sacrifice, can be indwelt, filled by the Holy Spirit if we seek to be,
if we receive Him and live in obedience to the truth and love He
teaches us.
It is then that we can ask whatever we desire and be certain of
receiving it. Being one in heart, mind and will with Him, our Creator
God, we can no longer ask amiss.
Loving Creator,
teach us to pray rightly,
that we may direct the flow of your grace
toward all those with special needs and concerns. Amen.
Marie L. Bocko ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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