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.

Luke 11:8

Luke 11:5-13

Reflection

The first part of today’s Gospel makes me laugh. If a friend of yours comes over in the middle of the night asking for food for their friend, at the very least, Jesus says you’d give them the food because the friend is being annoying, and you’d want them to go away. This speaks to a bigger issue of doing things out of love for our friends and even enemies, rather than from annoyance. Although difficult to often do, we should strive to help others with a charitable heart, even if it’s an inconvenience or annoyance to us.

Jesus tells us that even wicked people will treat their children well; we are called to do the same and better. The other aspect of this Gospel relates to asking the Father for something and receiving it. Again, if even wicked people can be charitable, how much more will God be towards us, his adopted children?

At the same time, Jesus’ message of asking and consequently receiving must come with the understanding that our prayers will be answered in God’s way, not ours. Remembering to be humble and open to receiving an answer in an unexpected way is key. Fortunately for us, Jesus provides us with our needed bread out of love, not out of annoyance.

Ask Jesus for the grace to act more charitably towards others – let’s strive to imitate Christ’s graciousness and generosity.

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Saint of the Day

St. Francis Borgia: 1510-1572

“We must perform all our works in God and refer them to his glory so that they will be permanent and stable. Everyone—whether kings, nobles, tradesmen or peasants—must do all things for the glory of God and under the inspiration of Christ’s example.”

St. Francis Borgia