Meditation Minute

My Dearest Brothers and Sisters in Christ:

 

“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

 

Gospel Reading: Luke 11:5-13

 

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.  “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 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?”

 

Today’s gospel reading tells us that our Father is welcoming and always ready to receive us. Jesus tells the story of a late night traveler seeking hospitality from his host. No matter what time the traveler arrives, it was the obligation of the town to receive and entertain this traveler. The host needs bread to nourish the traveler and must go and get bread from one of his neighbors. Unfortunately the friend would not provide the bread, but because of the importance of the visitor the neighbor persisted. This story is about prayer and asking for God’s unending supply of grace which is poured out for us. Jesus tells his disciples that they must be persistent in their prayer – “ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” If you ask God in prayer, He will provide everything you need; if you seek out God, you will find Him there with you; and if you knock on his door, He will open it and receive you in.

 

God answers every prayer – the answer just might be no. Jesus tells them, “What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?” Jesus is telling his disciples that God will only provide what is good and what is needed. God understands what our heart is longing. We may not see it the same way, but God knows what is best. Jesus uses the image of the father-child relationship to demonstrate God’s heavenly relationship with us on earth. A good father will provide what his children need and will not provide anything that will harm them. God provides us with what is needed to nourish us both physically and spiritually. He provides what is needed to feed the body. Jesus concludes this story telling us how overflowing God’s grace actually is, “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?” This last statement tells us that God’s grace is abundant, overflowing and unending. God provides more then what we need or we expect. God gives us his gifts freely and without conditions. We do not even have to deserve them and he will provide. We must pray with confidence for our God is kind and merciful.

 

A Simple Prayer

 

Most Heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart.

Pour your grace out upon me. My wants are many but my needs are few.

All I ask is that you provide me with your grace so that I might live as your disciple.

 

Yours in Christ

Michael Marcon