Opening Prayer

Lord, grant that I may see you more clearly,
love you more dearly, and follow you more nearly,
day by day.

Scripture

Luke 11:5-13

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything out of friendship, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”

Reflection

The parable of the persistent friend highlights the importance of perseverance in prayer. By illustrating how even a reluctant neighbour will eventually respond to persistent knocking, Jesus encourages us to be steadfast and persistent in our prayers to God. This teaches us that our persistence is not about wearing God down but rather about deepening our relationship with Him and demonstrating our trust in His timing and wisdom. Our continuous prayers reflect our unwavering faith and reliance on God’s goodness.

Jesus emphasises that if earthly parents, despite their flaws, know how to give good gifts to their children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him? This profound assurance invites us to earnestly seek the Holy Spirit in our lives. By asking for the Spirit, we are seeking God’s guidance, strength, and presence to align our lives with His will. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live out our faith authentically and courageously, transforming our hearts and actions to reflect the love and grace of God.

Contemplation

I take a few moments to imagine the scene from the Gospel story I just read. I let the words come alive in my heart. I visualise the event as if I was there and part of the story. I pay attention to all the details, the sights, the sounds, the tastes, the smells, and the feelings of the event. I imagine myself as one of the characters in the scene or as myself present in the story. What message does Jesus have for me? How is God speaking to me personally through this story? I open my heart to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Thanksgiving

I ask God, the Father, to give me an intimate knowledge of the many gifts I have received,
so that filled with gratitude for all, I may in all things love and serve the Divine Majesty.

Fellow Pilgrims

The endurance of darkness is the preparation for great light.

– Saint John of the Cross

Closing Prayer

Christ with me,
Christ before me,
Christ behind me,
Christ in me,
Christ beneath me,
Christ above me,
Christ on my right,
Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down,
Christ when I sit down,
Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!
Amen.