“HONEY FROM THE ROCK”
Daily Reflections
Thursday, 12th October 2017.
Twenty Seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Mal 3: 13-18, 4: 1-2
Ps 1: 1-4, 6 (R) Ps 40: 4;
Lk 11: 5-13.
ASK, SEEK, KNOCK
“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.” Luke 11:9-10
Sometimes today’s Gospel can be misunderstood. Some may think it means that we should pray, pray more and pray harder and eventually God will answer our prayers. Some may think that this means that God does not answer prayer if we fail to pray hard enough. And some may think that whatever we pray for will be given to us if we just keep asking.
We certainly should pray hard and often. But one key question to understand is this: What should I pray for? This is key because God will not give us what we pray for, no matter how long and hard we pray for it, if it is not part of His glorious and perfect will. For example, if someone is sick and dying and it is part of the permissive will of God to allow that person to die, then all the prayer in the world will not change things. Instead, prayer in this case should be offered so as to invite God into this difficult situation so as to make it a beautiful and holy death. So it’s not a matter of begging God until we convince Him to do what we want, as a child may do to a parent. Rather, we must pray for one thing and one thing only…we must pray for the will of God to be done. Prayer is not offered to change God’s mind, it’s to transform us, strengthen us and enable us to embrace all that God calls us to do.
Some others say, “I asked for so many things, but none of them are given to me.” But do we seriously pause for a while and reflect; have I asked for the right things? Do I know the value of the things I am asking for? Are the things and favours asked absolutely necessary? If given, will I be really using them to the full?
A child who has no teeth may ask for a candy. Will the father give candy to the child? NO. The father waits until the child is able to chew the candy well and only then he gives it to him. A monkey does not know the value of the pearls you are holding. But it will extend its arms for the pearls. Do you give your pearls? NO, you don’t. Because you know their value! In the same way at times we may not be knowing what we are extending our arms for; but God knows. That does not mean that we should not ask for what we want. We can always ask, but when the things are not given, let us not get disappointed.
Prayer: Lord, help me to daily seek You and to increase my life of faith through prayer. May my prayer help me to receive Your holy and perfect will into my life. Jesus, I trust in You. Amen.
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