Today the Church celebrates the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary. To find out more about the Rosary, click here.
I wonder how well received was the part of St. Paul’s letter to the Galatians that we read today. It starts out with, “O stupid Galatians!” And again, “Are you so stupid?” Paul obviously wasn’t trying to win any popularity contests. They were in error, and Paul wanted to let them know in the strongest terms. In the Gospel from Luke 11, Jesus tells the disciples a story about 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 an interesting and uplifting teaching from Jesus! Unfortunately, many people down through the ages have twisted this and taken it out of context. I speak specifically of the “health and wealth gospel” preachers. Did Jesus really mean that we can have ANYTHING that we want? Once again, this is all about context.
At the end of this teaching, Jesus asks, “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?” It’s all about what we are asking for. If we are asking for things that are of the Spirit, then we have no problem. We can rest assured that God will deliver. But if we are asking for things of the flesh, I think we’re barking up the wrong tree. God isn’t some kind of vending machine. He is a loving Father. Wow! That’s just how Jesus describes Him! Imagine that!
Father, we thank you for always answering our prayers when they are in accord with Your will. Help us to be more in tune with Your will, and to ask, seek and knock for the things of the Spirit. Amen.
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