Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time

Today's Mass Readings

Our gospel passage from St. Luke continues our reflection this week on prayer. Today we read the well-known story of the man who knocks on the door of his friend’s house at midnight to ask to for a loaf of bread for a hungry traveler who has just arrived at his home. Jesus follows this narrative with the familiar words: “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find…” (Lk 11:9).

Jesus urges us to be persistent in prayer, like the man banging on the door of his neighbor’s house in the middle of the night. “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” (Lk 11:8).

Jesus goes on to explain that the Heavenly Father is a generous giver of gifts who gives us good things—the things we really need. “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?” (Lk 11:11-13).

Jesus’ comparison of God to a human father demonstrates his goodness and generosity. God is not like the drowsy neighbor, annoyed by our persistent knocking in prayer (even at midnight!); rather than being irritated, he responds to us out of love. The point of the story is not that we need to wear God down by our constant asking, but that our perseverance is a demonstration of our faith that God is worthy of trust and that we are dependent upon his loving care. Continuing to knock, to seek, and to ask, fosters our faith and shows the depth of our human need. Prayer is not a bargaining process for obtaining the things we want. Prayer is an intimate communion with God that draws us ever closer to the Father’s heart and changes our hearts to be conformed to his will for us.

Reflection by Br. Michael Marcotte, OSB