Monday, July 25, 2022

HOMILY 17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME CYCLE C JULY 24, 2022

 HOMILY   17TH SUNDAY OF ORDINARY TIME   CYCLE C    JULY 24, 2022

 

In the Gospel we heard Jesus tell us, “Ask and you will receive.”   Once, a long time ago, as a seminarian spending the Summer at St Patrick’s parish in downtown Memphis, TN  I was driving and listening to the radio.   A radio preacher was on preaching on this passage.  He talked about needing a new car for his ministry, so knowing that “Ask and you will receive” he prayed for a new Oldsmobile.   But his prayer was not answered.  But knowing you have to be persistent in prayer, he prayed more for a new Oldsmobile.  But no Oldsmobile.  However knowing that you have to have faith he continued to pray for an Oldsmobile.  But still, no Oldsmobile.   Finally it dawned on him that God did not want him to have a Oldsmobile.  (pause … )    God wanted him to have a Cadillac!  He prayed for the Cadillac and got it.

“Ask and you will receive.”    How are we to understand this? 

Well let’s just admit upfront that this is a weird Gospel.  It starts off fine enough with Jesus teaching the disciples the Lord’s Prayer.  If the Gospel stopped there, it would be fine, nice and short,` and make good sense.  But then Jesus tells this weird story about going to your friend at midnight and pestering the poor fellow till he finally gives you what you want just to shut you up and have you go away.   Is that a model for how we are supposed to act with God?  Just pester God till we wear down God’s patience so God finally gives in to our requests??   Weird.

Scripture scholars debate this odd example that Jesus uses, and they place it within a cultural context of reputation and honor.   The point seems to be:  If even this reluctant giver of gifts will give just to get rid of the petitioner, how much more will God respond to the requests of God’s beloved children, which we are?

Thus Jesus concludes: “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 ask, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.”

And yet our experience tells us otherwise.  Anyone here praying for rain and cooler temperatures?   How is that working for you?

When we ask we don’t always receive.  When we seek we don’t always find.  When we knock the door doesn’t always open.

So how are we to understand this? 

Well, summarizes Jesus, “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children,” - and I assume you all know how to do that – “how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” 

Ohhh!   The Holy Spirit!   That is what this is all about.  The Holy Spirit is like cataract surgery.  The Holy Spirit makes things clear for us.   The Holy Spirit helps us to see and feel God’s love for us, even when the road is rocky, the day is hot and humid, and the going is tough.  And if you have God’ love, and can recognize that you do, you have all you need and then some. 

“Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”

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