17th Sunday of the Year (C)

Sunday Reflections for Liturgical Years 2011 (A), 2012 (B), and 2013 (C)

17th Sunday of the Year (C), July 28, 2013

Liturgical readings
Genesis 18:20-32
Psalm 138
Colossians 2:12-14
Luke 11:1-13


"Lord, teach us to pray."

One day
Jesus was praying
in a certain place.


When he had finished,
one of his disciples asked him,


"Lord,
teach us to pray
as John taught his disciples."


He said to them,


"When you pray, say:


'Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
Give us each day
our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
for we too forgive all
who do us wrong;
and subject us not to the trial.'"


Jesus said to them:


"If one of you knows
someone who comes to him
in the middle of the night
and says to him,


'Friend,
lend me three loaves,
for a friend of mine has come in
from a journey
and I have nothing to offer him';


and he from inside
should reply,


'Leave me alone.
The door is shut now
and my children
and I are in bed.


I can't get up
to look after your needs.'"


- I tell you,
even though he does not get up
and take care of the man because of friendship,
he will find himself doing so because of his persistence
and give him as much as he needs.'"


"So I say to you,


'Ask
and you shall receive;


seek
and you shall find;


knock
and it shall be opened to you.'"



"For whoever asks,
receives;


whoever seeks,
finds;


whoever knocks,
is admitted.


What father among you
will give his son a snake if he asks for a fish,
or hand him a scorpion if he asks for an egg?


If you,
with all your sins, know how to give your children good things,


how much more will the heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him."



"Lord, teach us to pray."

This Sunday's gospel passage is about prayer. One of the Lord's disciples asked Him how they are to pray. Jesus took occasion to teach about prayer. First, He taught the "Our Father" - from which the Pater Noster comes from. Second, He proceeds to tell a parable - emphasizing the importance of persistence in prayer. And Lastly, He teaches the importance of faith in prayer - faith in a heavenly Father who knows how to give his children what they need, when they "ask and seek" Him in prayer.


The Church continues the mission of Christ to teach about prayer. Below are a few quotes from the Saints who taught the importance of prayer in our Christian life:


The Holy Spirit is the teacher of prayer. He enables us to
live in perfect peace and constant joy, which is a foretaste
of paradise. (St. Philip Neri)


As often as you become conscious of these promptings to good
in your hearts, give glory to God and reverence the Holy Spirit
whose voice is sounding in your ears. (St. Bernard of Clairvaux)


Ask God to give you the grace of prayer...ask him ceaselessly
It is an alms that you beg of him. It is not possible, if you
persevere, for him to refuse you. (St. Vincent de Paul)


The grace of prayer. It is a gift that we receive from the Holy Spirit. It brings peace and joy. It leads us to God and to practice reverence and respect for all life. It gives light to our minds and strengthens our faith. It makes us aware of a Father who is holy, and whose will and dominion spans the earth and the heavens. Prayer makes us see a God who provides for all His children. Prayer makes us humble to understand His will for specific situations in life.

Scripture verses:
"I will give thanks to you, O Lord, with all my heart." (Psalm 138)
"God gave you new life in company with Christ." (Colossians 2)