The texts from the Roman Catholic Lectionary today invite us to be open to the Spirit in prayer that combines our longing and our persistence.
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In the passage from the Book of Genesis Abraham intercedes for Sodom.
* [18:20] The immorality of the cities was already hinted at in 13:13, when Lot made his choice to live there. The “outcry” comes from the victims of the injustice and violence rampant in the city, which will shortly be illustrated in the treatment of the visitors. The outcry of the Hebrews under the harsh treatment of Pharaoh (Ex 3:7) came up to God who reacts in anger at mistreatment of the poor (cf. Ex 22:21–23; Is 5:7). Sodom and Gomorrah became types of sinful cities in biblical literature. Is 1:9–10; 3:9 sees their sin as lack of social justice, Ez 16:46–51, as disregard for the poor, and Jer 23:14, as general immorality. In the Genesis story, the sin is violation of the sacred duty of hospitality by the threatened rape of Lot’s guests.1
Psalm 138 is a thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist.
* [Psalm 138] A thanksgiving to God, who came to the rescue of the psalmist. Divine rescue was not the result of the psalmist’s virtues but of God’s loving fidelity (Ps 138:1–3). The act is not a private transaction but a public act that stirs the surrounding nations to praise God’s greatness and care for the people (Ps 138:4–6). The psalmist, having experienced salvation, trusts that God will always be there in moments of danger (Ps 138:7–8).2
The sovereign role of Christ is a theme in the Letter of Paul to the Colossians.
* [2:11] A description of baptism (Col 2:12) in symbolic terms of the Old Testament rite for entry into the community. The false teachers may have demanded physical circumcision of the Colossians.
* [2:14] The elaborate metaphor here about how God canceled the legal claims against us through Christ’s cross depicts not Christ being nailed to the cross by men but the bond…with its legal claims being nailed to the cross by God.3
In the Gospel from Luke, Jesus teaches the Lord’s Prayer and persistence in seeking an answer to prayer.
* [11:1–13] Luke presents three episodes concerned with prayer. The first (Lk 11:1–4) recounts Jesus teaching his disciples the Christian communal prayer, the “Our Father”; the second (Lk 11:5–8), the importance of persistence in prayer; the third (Lk 11:9–13), the effectiveness of prayer.4
Eileen Wirth told a close friend experiencing a health crisis to remember the old cliché that “God writes straight with crooked lines.
I also believe that if we DON’T ask, we are less likely to receive and that if we fail to knock, doors of any sort are less likely to open. Our own attitude can make some difference. A wise Jesuit once asked, “Am I drowning in bad news because I am failing to be good news?”Even when things are awful, we can usually find SOME way to be good news to other people. Hint: if you are disturbed by those pictures from the border, send a donation to the Sisters of Mercy for their work in El Paso. Blessings to all who are knocking on God’s door. May he write straight on your crooked lines.5
Don Schwager quotes “The privilege and responsibility of calling God Father,” by Cyril of Alexandria (376-444 AD).
"For the Savior said, 'When you pray, say, 'Our Father.' And another of the holy Evangelists adds, 'who art in heaven' (Matthew 6:9)... He gives his own glory to us. He raises slaves to the dignity of freedom. He crowns the human condition with such honor as surpasses the power of nature. He brings to pass what was spoken of old by the voice of the psalmist: 'I said, you are gods, and all of you children of the Most High' (Psalm 82:6). He rescues us from the measure of slavery, giving us by his grace what we did not possess by nature, and permits us to call God 'Father,' as being admitted to the rank of sons. We received this, together with all our other privileges, from him. One of these privileges is the dignity of freedom, a gift peculiarly befitting those who have been called to be sons. He commands us, therefore, to take boldness and say in our prayers, 'Our Father.'" (excerpt from COMMENTARY ON LUKE, HOMILY 71)6
The Word Among Us Meditation on Luke 11:1-13 shares that Jesus gave them what we call the “Our Father.” Though it looks like a five-step instruction, it is so much more. This prayer reveals much about who Jesus is because it gives us a glimpse into his own prayer life. It also shows who we are and God’s vision of how we should live. And it explains how Jesus wants us to relate to his Father—with the same mind and heart that he had as he walked the earth.
Jesus gave the disciples so much more than a list of tips for effective prayer. He assured them that they could approach God confidently, knowing he will always listen, always forgive, always provide and protect. And he, who is holy, will do no less for you.7
Suzanne Guthrie's Meditation on the Gospel today has the theme of "Kingdom Sized Longing". The prayer acknowledges that perpetual sense of unrequited love, longing and knowing my love can't be fulfilled temporally. Your kingdom come! My love-longing as large as a kingdom, can only be acknowledged by asking for the kingdom to come!
So it is good to have learned along the way, that my very capacities for intimacy, my raging sense of longing, equip me for a life of prayer. For what is prayer, really? Prayer is longing for that which can not be satisfied - in this lifetime. As Cardinal said, we are created for love: love eternal unbounded by time and space.8
Friar Jude Winkler describes the chutzpah of Abraham as he bargains with God over the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. The intimacy of Baptism invites us to sharing life with Christ. Friar Jude notes how Jesus dismisses the Greek philosophy of God as an “uncreated creator” at the edge of the universe.
Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM, introduces Thea Bowman (1937–1990) who was a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration born in Mississippi. He is drawn to Sr. Thea since his mother would listen to her talks, especially when she knew she was dying, and she found out that Thea listened to his talks. Like other mystics, Bowman found God everywhere, in all beings. She saw many images of God.
God is bread when you’re hungry, water when you’re thirsty, a harbor from the storm. God’s father to the fatherless, a mother to the motherless. God’s my sister, my brother, my leader, my guide, my teacher, my comforter, my friend. God’s the way-maker and burden-bearer, a heart-fixer and a mind-regulator. God’s my doctor who never lost a patient, my lawyer who never lost a case, my captain who never lost a battle. God’s my all in all, my everything.
God’s my rock, my sword, my shield, my lily of the valley, my pearl of great price. God’s a god of peace and a god of war. Counselor, Emmanuel, Redeemer, Savior, Prince of Peace, Son of God, Mary’s little baby, wonderful Word of God.9
The “Lord’s Prayer” shared by Luke opens a door to intimate contact with the Divine in conversation about decisions and events and in contemplation of the Divine image in the people and places we encounter daily.
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