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Teachings on Prayer and The Answer to Prayer (Lk. 11:5-13)

And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 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.’ 8 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. 9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 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?”

In first-century Palestine, hospitality was a matter of honor.  Food was offered to a visiting traveler, and bread was used for dipping in a common bowl.  It was a necessary part of the meal.  Since bread was baked outdoors everyone knew which neighbor had fresh bread so if a surprise guest came and you had no bread you would know to whose house you could go to get bread.  If it was late and your friend did not want to be inconvenienced at that hour, he would still give you the loaves of bread because not being hospitable to a visitor would bring shame on him and the whole village.  

Jesus told the story to make the point that his disciples and all who believe in him should persist in prayer.  God will answer their persistent and earnest prayer and they will receive what they ask for, find what they are searching for, and doors will be opened for them.  

If we who are sinful and imperfect know how to lovingly provide good things for our children, how much more will God our infinitely generous Father give the Holy Spirit to his children when they ask?  We should trust in God, persist in prayer, and seek the Kingdom of God and its righteousness (Mt. 6:33).  God in his mercy and generosity will respond to both our spiritual and physical needs.

Almighty God, be merciful to your children and let your Spirit guide us in prayer so that we may ask for what is pleasing in your eyes and live according to your commands.  This we pray through Christ our Lord.  Amen!

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References
Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Upper Saddle River, NJ, United States, Prentice Hall, 1990.
                Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.

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