17th Sunday of Ordinary Time [C]


17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME [C]


Can anybody name the topic for this weekend? If you answer with “prayer,” then you’re at least partially correct. More specifically, we are dealing with the subject of PERSISTENT prayer. Note the example of Abraham in our first reading. He learns that a severe judgment is being handed down, concerning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He responds with one petition after another, begging for the cities to be spared. As a result, we are now detecting flexibility, where previously there was no flexibility (see Gen. 18:16-33). 


Jesus reaffirms the Abraham approach in this Gospel selection (Luke 11:1-13). When you pray, be sure to pray with persistence. What will that gain for you? Potentially, you will be blessed with the gift of mercy. That’s the point of focus for Abraham. And Paul likewise seems to be preoccupied with the gift of mercy as he writes to the community at Colossae. He proclaims that the bond being held against us has been nailed to the cross (Col. 2:14). So if you are in the market for the gift of mercy, then commit yourself to the practice of prayer—not just prayer, but the practice of persistent prayer. 


Honorable mention is given to the Holy Spirit in this Gospel passage (11:13). Therefore, if you are in the market for what the Holy Spirit has to offer, you will again be advised to pray, and to pray persistently. But then again, maybe you are pursuing the tangible variety of blessings. You find yourself favoring the concrete over and against the abstract. According to Jesus, these blessings are also in play. You’ll get your fish when you ask for a fish. And you’ll get your egg when you ask for an egg (11:11-12). And in addition, don’t overlook the role of the Holy Spirit in your life (vs. 13). Be sure to seek the tangible blessings, along with the blessings that are less tangible. 


Furthermore, make it clear that you are in the market for these assorted blessings. Don’t leave it as something that is understood, or as something that can be left unsaid. You tell yourself that it should go without saying. Of course, you’re hoping for every blessing that is being made available!! Nevertheless, according to Luke chapter eleven, the Lord still wants to hear from you. It’s not that he needs to hear from you. The Lord is sovereign. He can help with or without having been called upon. And yet, it’s his desire that you actually go through the effort of reaching out. 


By way of contrast, consider the genie who assists Aladdin. Despite its many powers and abilities, the genie cannot act voluntarily. There has to be a request or an invitation. This very nearly spells disaster for the hero. He’s bound and gagged, sinking to the bottom of the ocean. The genie is standing by, ready to help. But nothing is being articulated. Finally, as Aladdin loses consciousness, his head bobs upward and then downward. Interpreting this as a nod in his direction, the genie eagerly intervenes, saving the day. Therefore, the genie has to operate within a set of rigid parameters. 


Meanwhile, the Lord has a free hand. He doesn’t have to worry about any rules or regulations. He can bestow every manner of blessing—tangible or intangible. He can take the initiative or he can wait for an invitation. This being said, even though he is not being bothered with any rules or regulations, he does have to contend with a singular preference: he likes to hear from you. It’s a familiar parental pattern. What does your mother say when you take the time to give her a call? What does your father say when you take the time to give him a call? Invariably, it’s the following refrain: “You don’t call often enough!!”  

 

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