The Day of Pentecost (G)

Luke 11:1-13

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” ² And he said to them, “When you pray, say:

       “Father, hallowed be your name.

       Your kingdom come.

³    Give us each day our daily bread,

⁴    and forgive us our sins,

for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us.

       And lead us not into temptation.”

⁵ And he said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, ⁶ for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; ⁷ and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? ⁸ I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. ⁹ And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. ¹⁰ For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. ¹¹ What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; ¹² or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? ¹³ 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!”

How do we call upon the name of the Lord? What do we expect to hear in response from our Father in Heaven? The Lord's Prayer at times can seem so simple. Jesus' illustrations about how a Father treats their children are the exact illustrations we need. God in Heaven will provide his children with what they need.

There are many times in our lives when we do not know the right or proper thing to ask. The Holy Spirit provides us with the proper words and even as St Paul says groanings beyond words. John the Baptist provided words for his disciples. Jesus provides the Lord's prayer. The Holy Spirit provides groanings for us to pray.

We have many things to know on our Father's door about. Bread may be the least of our concerns. For some bread seems to be of highest concern. But our real concern should be over our sins. Why do you knock on the Father's door? God has forgiven you all your sins. He has provided you with bread and all the needs of this life.