ABOUT PRAYER

XVII SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME - Luke 11:1-13

In the first reading, we find the extraordinary dialogue between God and Abraham. Treating Abraham as a very close friend, God reveals to him his plans of punishment against Sodom and Gomorrah. And behaving as an intimate friend, Abraham has the audacity of trying to dissuade God from carrying out his plans. As if pressurised by his friend, God reduces his demands, being ready to save the two towns if he could find in them ten just men. In the end, the corruption in there was beyond any measure and the two cities were destroyed. However, in attention to Abraham, God saved his relative Lot with his family.

With Abraham, we learn how powerful the prayer of intercession can be. And the Church has chosen this passage to call our attention to that. Like Abraham, we must intercede for the world, our sinful world, so that God may have mercy on it.

In the Gospel, answering the disciple's request, Jesus teaches them "Our Father". Although Luke’s version of Our Father is shorter than the one from Matthew, it contains the same basic petitions.

As children, we address God as Father, showing trust, confidence and love. Then, we make two requests that show the relation of God’s plan with us: “hallowed be your name” and “Your kingdom come”. The name of God is holy since all holiness belongs to God. Then, what are we asking for? That his name may be hallowed in us. Indeed, may God’s holiness be present in us. And may his kingdom come, so that we find the truth, establish justice and make peace. We pray as well for our daily bread, which is our sustenance since with famine all kinds of evil come. Forgiveness and reconciliation are signs of God’s kingdom dwelling among us. Peace is not possible when we look for revenge, judge others according to our laws, ignore and despise God’s law. Finally, we ask the Lord: “do not put us to the test.” Left to our own, we can easily fall. Only God can give us the strength to overcome temptation.

To Our Father, Jesus added some advise made clear with the parable about someone who goes to a friend late in the evening asking for bread. We must insist until we are given what we asked for. However, what should we ask for? The most important gift of all, the Holy Spirit. God will not refuse to give us his Spirit.