27th Week in Ordinary Time
1st Reading: Gal 3:1-5
O stupid Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? I want to learn only this from you: did you receive the Spirit from works of the law, or from faith in what you heard? Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending with the flesh? Did you experience so many things in vain?– if indeed it was in vain. Does, then, the one who supplies the Spirit to you and works mighty deeds among you do so from works of the law or from faith in what you heard?
Gospel: Lk 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?”
A GOD WHO IS GENEROUS IN GIVING: Our heavenly Father is so loving and concerned about us that he cannot fail to grant what we ask for. Jesus’ argument is that if a-not-so-good father is pleased to give what his children ask for, the heavenly Father who is immensely good can give good gifts to his children. He asks to persevere in our asking without losing hope. Prayer is always answered. It may not be done in the way we think or within the timeframe we make! What God gives will be most beneficial for us. Our human mind may not perceive what is best for ourselves, but God knows. The best response from God to our prayer is granting of the Holy Spirit. How often do we pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit? When we have the Holy Spirit we also have his seven gifts with us.
Prayer: Grant us, O Lord, your Holy Spirit.
**** IN GOD WE TRUST: A Father who generously provides for his children is a healthy comparison to God the Father. Despite us being wicked, we give to our children, don’t we? If so, our Father’s kindness and care is incomparable. The little story tells where friendship does not sell, it is annoyance or pressure that brings results. This is hardly a comparison to the Heavenly Father’s approach. Persistence pays. One needs to persist in prayer. Prayer however does not mean exerting pressure on God the Father as to force Him to give away his resources. It only means the disciples pray with certain conviction that God knows their needs even before they attempt to verbalize them. Let us trust that God will provide for us all that we need.
DAILY GOSPEL 