Luke 11: 5-13
Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.
“So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
New Revised Standard Version, copyright 1989, by the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. USCCB approved.
Just Show Up
I’ve been enjoying a special edition podcast – “The Autobiography of St. Ignatius Loyola”— through AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast, where Fr. Jack Bentz, SJ and writer Cameron Bellm guide listeners through Ignatius’ pilgrimage. And let me tell you: Ignatius is kind of wacky. Don’t get me wrong - this isn’t a turn off. Rather, I find it endearing because, honestly? I’m kind of wacky, too. I imagine most of us are. What has stood out for me as a listener, is Ignatius’ total reliance on God, even in its sometimes flawed form and practice—flawed in a way that I can relate to, as I get in my own way when accessing God’s grace. (Or rather…God’s grace trying to access me.) I’m a superstar at telling myself, “I’m enough. I’ve got it,” and how, “Surely God has more important things to worry about in this disastrous world.” Heck, I’ve been known to throw out, “Am I even doing this right?! How can I ask God for anything with my messy, unkempt prayer life?” So, today’s scriptural reminder? Just ask. Just knock. Show up with your wacky self, because God is already there, waiting. Rely on God, and more will be given than ever imagined.
—Amanda B. Angaiak is the Director of Catholic Schools of Fairbanks, and President of Monroe Foundation, Inc. in Fairbanks, Alaska.
Prayer
Lord, even with the best of intentions, sometimes I get in your way. When it comes to prayer, might I remember the words of poet Mary Oliver: …pay attention, then patch a few words together and don’t try to make them elaborate, this isn’t a contest but the doorway into thanks, and a silence in which another voice may speak. Lord, thank you. I am listening. Amen
—Amanda B. Angaiak