Gospel MT 7:7-12
Jesus said to his disciples:
“Ask and it will be given to you; 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.
Which one of you would hand his son a stone
when he asked for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asked for a fish?
If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.
“Do to others whatever you would have them do to you.
This is the law and the prophets.”
Reflection:
In today’s gospel passage, we see clearly the parent-child relationship between God and ourselves.
Whether in our role as loving parent or trusting child, we can immediately recognize the truth of Jesus’ words that a loving parent would never give their child something harmful.
But children do ask for things that are not in their best interest.
“Mom, I know the ice is safe. Please let me go skating on the pond.” The parent responds, “No, I’m not comfortable with your going on that ice but I’ll take you to the skating rink later.”
As adults, we too ask for what we “want” but not necessarily for what is best for us.
God, always answers our prayers but “thank God” he doesn’t always give us what we pray for!
Our Father is all wise and all loving and always has our best interest at heart. I have come to believe that it is best to pray for God’s will to come about in all things in my life.
So, I’ve adopted a “tag line” for my prayers.
I end my every prayer request with the words, “If it is in keeping with your will, O Lord!”
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
Matthew 6:10