Last Sunday, we heard Jesus mentioned that Mary has chosen a better part, a choice which will not be taken away from her. And we know that part consist of being present, active and attentive presence with God, with ourselves and with others. Today, Jesus goes on to build on what constitutes that presence: prayer!
There is a story of a young boy on an airplane, seemingly all but himself. Along the way, there was tremendous turbulence that lingered for some time. When all returned to normalcy, some adults who watched him all these times, and sensing he was an unaccompanied minor; and marveled at his calmness during the turbulence asked him: “son, how did you remain so calm in the midst of that violent turbulence?” With a smile on his face, he said, “It’s easy. My daddy is the pilot”. When we have the power of belief that no matter the turbulence that I feel, no matter if life gets hard, God id good. I can trust him. He is the pilot. He is leading the way amidst the ups and downs – he sees what I don’t see! Then, we can be certain to understand who God is for us!
The first reading invites us to consideration of prayer as a relationship. It shows the bold intimacy God expects in our communication with him. An intimacy of a childlike boldness, where we are not afraid to ask him: “would you destroy the righteous along with the wicked?”, in our quest to understand why bad things happen to good people! In the story of Abraham, we saw that prayer is not about formulas, but honest heart-to-heart communication; a relationship where mercy is infinite.
The Second reading gives us the reason to be bold to encounter God in prayers. But a boldness ready to embrace service: we receive mercy fully; we are called to extend it unconditionally.
In the Gospel, Jesus echoes the relationship nature of prayer when he introduced the two ingredients of persistence and trust. First, the disciples who approached him indicated vital aspects of the relationship, called prayer: prayer must be taught; prayer must be learned; prayer is not automatic; and prayer is a process. Second, because, they did not ask Jesus to pray for them or on them, what He gave was a template, a pattern, and not just the only prayer!
Again, in beginning with “Our Father”, He deepens the reality of prayer as childlike approach to God as a Father, who has called us all in His name. He is inclusive, which makes Him different from every other Abba. Abba is a Hebrew word for source. It is not a name. It denotes a function. He is Father of all, of us in our past, in the present and in the future. Again, inviting us to begin with “Our Father”, Jesus establishes that to effectively pray, we must have known God as a Father: knowing what he promised us in His name, knowing our rights in him, and knowing our privileges as members of His one body. So, our prayer is as good as our knowledge of God, his Word.
Also, in asking that “his kingdom come…will be done on earth as it is in heaven”, Jesus reminds us that prayer indicates our readiness to be transformed ourselves so that we can become His hands, feet, and voice to share His righteousness and joy! Thus, in asking for “forgiveness…as we forgive others”, we indicate our willingness to receive and extend mercy unconditionally.
Dear friends, we have 4 takeaways from the readings of this weekend:
1. With the parable about a friend who knocks at midnight, Jesus makes the point that persistence wins favors! Because it is not about nagging, but a rooted trust in God’s goodness, persistence means asking because you will receive, seeking because you will find, knocking because the door will be opened. Prayer not only changes us, but it also changes our circumstances.
2. A prayer that changes us must be one that flows from a heart that is humble, forgiving, grateful, and selfless. Mercy isn’t optional, it is our response to grace.
3. Prayer is not about formulas. Jesus only taught us how to pray, not just an “only” prayer. Make your prayer a relationship of boldness and intimacy, persisting and trusting. God knows our needs even before we ask them.
4. Every prayer is answered. A “yes” from God blesses you. A “no” from God protects you. And a “waiting” on God, prepares you!
