Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Reflection on yesterday’s topic for contemplation might leave one with some exhaustion. Fortunately, Jesus has given us in today’s Gospel a well-deserved anecdote. The lesson we should derive from the parable today is confidence in the efficacy of prayer, no matter how simple it might be.
Every circumstance is a reason why the man in the parable should resist the request of his friend. It is midnight; he and his children are in bed; hardly a time and place to tax the bonds of friendship. Can’t he wait until morning? Just to shut the guy up, the poor man gets up and gives him some bread.
Confidence in his pleadings persuaded the man not to give up. It is a wonderful lesson Jesus gives, with a touch of humor, to teach what is paramount in every prayer, especially when it seems the Lord is not listening. But the one who knocks should never forget that the Lord loves him infinitely, and that he will eventually realize.
Resolution: Many people complain their prayers are not answered. I know some and it is easy to identify with them. I shall join my prayers with theirs today, asking the Lord to answer our needs while strengthening our confidence for “He who trusts in the Lord, loving mercy surrounds him.” (Ps. 32).