Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 10, 2024

Date: Thursday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples:

“Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 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.

“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 father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 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?”

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

The gospel reading for today, drawn from the Gospel of Luke, recounts Jesus’ well-known promise, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and door will be opened to you” as an assurance of the heavenly reward for our persistence.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How persistent am I in my prayer?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, Beloved Son, Most Holy Spirit, I come this day to You in need but full of faith that listen to my plea and hope in your response. I bring this prayer to You full of love for You, my creator, my redeemer, my sanctifier. Fortify my faith, strengthen my hope, and intensify my love for You and my love for my sisters and brothers. Open me to your will for me, bind my will to yours, and grant that I may live as You created me to live, as You call me to live, as You gift me to live in your grace and loving presence. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.