Reflection for Wednesday, 27th Week in Ordinary Time

By


Fr. Aloysius Santiago sdb
Rector and Parish Priest
Don Bosco Shrine
Lingarajapuram, Bangalore

Today's WORD of GOD

Luke 11:2-4

He said to them, “When you pray, say:

“‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. Prophets can have Blind Spots

Today's Reflection

What a Glaring Gap between Jonah’s Belief & His Actions. This Man who Claimed to Worship the LORD who made the Sea & the Dry Land now Seeks to Flee from His Mission by a long Sea Voyage. The Paradox becomes more Poignant when eventually He has No Choice but to Preach to the Ninevites. He Knew in His heart that GOD is “Merciful & Gracious, Slow to Anger & Rich in Kindness” but wanted No Part in Spreading that Good News, for Fear that GOD might show Mercy to that Hated Nation, the People of Nineveh.

Jonah Cannot Abide the Idea of Israel’s Enemies Receiving Mercy, after the Harm They had Done to His own people. He Pleaded 2b Allowed Bypass Nineveh & Leave It to Destruction, but He becomes Angry when GOD Fails to Save the Gourd Plant. The Selfish Prophet Thinks GOD must Spare This little Tree, to Shade Him from the Fierce Sun & Burning East Wind. GOD'S Reply Ironically Chides Jonah, while Declaring the Doctrine of Universal Divine Mercy. “U are Concerned for the Plant… Should I Not be Concerned for Nineveh, with all Its Inhabitants?”


Teach Us to Pray

JESUS, Luke Tells Us, was “Praying in a Certain Place”. HIS Prayer Prompts One of HIS Disciples to Ask, “LORD, Teach Us to Pray.” We can all Identify with that Request, that Need for Guidance when It Comes to Prayer. In Response to that Request, JESUS Tells Us the Best Form of Prayer. We all Need to Ask GOD'S Help from Time to Time  

JESUS goes on to Name some Basic Gifts We Really Need — the Forgiveness of Our Sins, Sustenance for the Day, & GOD'S Help when Our Faith is Put to the Test. Those Need 2b Our Priority Petitions, &, by Implication, All Other Petitions must Link to Those Fundamental Ones.

Good Morning

GOD Bless Us All Today