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 journeyand 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?”
REFLECTION
...."how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”
Expectations can be sacrsanct in our dealings with people. When we go out of the way to do something good for someone, whether we are asked or not, though we might say we don't expect anything in return, there is a subconscious expectation that gratitude will be expressed in some way. Maybe we expect a "thank you", a returned favor, a "tit for tat", getting on the person's friends list, get invite to their next party or outing and the list goes on and on with unexpressed expectations. There should be no power one has over another for having done something for them. A good gesture should be just that, a gift given out of the depth of our hearts with no expectation or assumption that one will get something back in return.
In today's Gospel, we again see our Lord teaching us on how God treats us in contrast to the kind of treatment we expect from each other. In the rule of hospitality if we have a guest, whether unexpected or a late night guest, hungry or not, a meal is provided. So when we ask for help from our neighbor, it is somehow understood that he will help, either williingly or by coercion. Imagine how differently God treats us. He knows what we need before we ask, no matter the circumstances. He is generous and willing to give us what we need, though sometimes that which we want is not what we need.
With God we ask with expectant trust in His mercy and kindness. Our faith helps us understand His answers to our petitions, though emotionally we might find it hard to accept.
Though He does not owe us anything, He tells us to Ask, Seek and Knock He is our Father, our Creator. He wants only what is good for us and knows our situations in great detail. Speak to Him and ask Him. Ask with patience, persistence for His goodness and mercy for the favor we ask for. The Lord is always ready to give us more than we can expect. His best gift is His Holy Spirit to share life and joy. Never hesitate to ask, persistently without losing hope, that we will receive according to what is best for us.
Most importantly, always thank Him and show our love for Him through obedience to His commandments and our works of mercy and prayers of thanksgiving.
God Bless You
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