Luke 10:38-42
1 One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.”
2 Jesus said to them, “When you pray, say this: ‘Father: May your holy name be honoured; may your Kingdom come.
3 Give us day by day the food we need.
4 Forgive us our sins, for we forgive everyone who does us wrong. And do not bring us to hard testing.’ ”
5 And Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you should go to a friend’s house at midnight and say, ‘Friend, let me borrow three loaves of bread.
6 A friend of mine who is on a journey has just come to my house, and I haven’t got any food for him!’
7 And suppose your friend should answer from inside, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I can’t get up and give you anything.’
8 Well, what then? I tell you that even if he will not get up and give you the bread because you are his friend, yet he will get up and give you everything you need because you are not ashamed to keep on asking.
9 And so I say to you: ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you.
10 For all those who ask will receive, and those who seek will find, and the door will be opened to anyone who knocks.
11 Would any of you who are fathers give your son a snake when he asks for fish?
12 Or would you give him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?
13 Bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Other readings: Genesis 18:20-32; Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8; Colossians 2:12-14
LECTIO
Prayer is at the heart of today’s teaching. The disciples felt their prayers were not up to the mark and asked Jesus to give them some guidance. There are two versions of the Lord’s Prayer, this one from Luke and Matthew’s version (Matthew 6:9-13). Matthew’s version is longer and better known by Christians as it is used in the liturgy.
Jesus keeps the prayer guide short and simple. Most importantly he wants the disciples to recognise it’s a relationship between Father and child. The first step is to acknowledge God as our Father, recognising his holiness and honouring him. Next we should pray for his Kingdom rule to come. Then we can make any essential requests, for example, food for the day, forgiveness of our sins and protection from hard testing.
Jesus didn’t intend us to only pray these exact words. Rather, they provide us with a framework and guidance on the type of things we should pray about. The only thing that is subject to any condition is forgiveness. If we do not forgive those who sin against us, then we won’t receive forgiveness ourselves.
Jesus goes on to teach about the importance of being persistent in prayer and concludes with the illustration of a father and son. Most human fathers give good things to their children rather than things that are harmful. How much more then will our heavenly father, who knows us perfectly, give us what we need? Of course, sometimes this may mean God not giving us what we ask for because he knows it would be harmful for us.
MEDITATIO
What does this passage reveal to us about God and how he wants us to approach him? How do you feel about God being your Father? How does the condition of forgiving others in order to receive your own forgiveness affect you? What is your own experience of prayer? What can you learn from this passage?
ORATIO
Pray through these verses from the Lord’s prayer. After each line add your own words. Ask the Holy Spirit to help and guide you. Take your time.
CONTEMPLATIO
Consider today’s responsorial verse, Psalm 138:3: “You answered me when I called to you; With your strength you strengthened me.”
Lectio divina is an ancient tradition of reading and engaging with God’s Word. These outlines for the Sunday Gospel readings are published by the Bible Society.
