SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME JULY 24, 2022

MASS READINGS:

A reading of the holy Gospel according to Lk 11:1-13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test." And he said to them, "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 the visitor 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?"

REFLECTION

"how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?

When sick, or in need of rescue or help in a natural disaster, these words can be calming: “I am here. Hold on to me.”

In our daily Liturgy of the Hours, the psalms say to approach God with songs of praise, giving Him thanks and blessing His Name: To allow God to be the best thought in the day and night- His presence, our light.

In the Mass we say prayers of Adoration, Gratitude, Reparation and requests for Divine graces. Like burning incense our prayers rise to God and every evening as we examine our conscience, the Holy Spirit will recreate in us a new spirit in the morning.

Our prayer with God is a conversation. We speak to Him of our problems, He listens and acts according to what is best for us: His Will. But it is a conversation that never bids "adieu" but is always present, always happening, a personal contact with God. He resides in our souls.

St Therese of Lisieux, in her Last Conversations with her Carmelites before her death, stated, "When I am up in heaven how many graces I will beg for you! Oh! I will torment God so much that, if He wanted to refuse me at first, my importunity (persistence) will force Him to grant my desires. This story is in the Gospel, Luke 11: 5-8."

Never give up or walk away. Always live in His presence. God always reminds us if we keep His commandments, He will be with us, always holding us by His right hand. If our prayers are not answered, cry out louder.

Believe Him! Breathe in Jesus, hold on tight to Him and breathe the air of Heaven for all eternity.

Visit our website papamio.org. Many beautiful novenas, devotions, prayers, litanies written by saints who intercede for us are found there. Check out the Liturgy of the Hours prayers (iBreviary) for homage and prayer to God throughout the day: seven fixed prayer times. The Mass is the best prayer. Attend daily.

God Bless You