Friend

Today’s Gospel Text:  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 importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. 9 And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 10 For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him 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!" Luke 11:5-13

Reflection: So goes the saying; “a friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Friends can be of great help, especially in times and situations where relatives cannot reach us.

A friend always understands us better unlike close relatives. Unlike good friends relationship with close relatives carry a whole lot of family hurts and sensitivities which makes sharing difficult; though this is no excuse, for us, not to reach out to our relatives when in need.

Here in the gospel we have a beautiful example of one friend reaching out to another friend seeking the help of a third friend, all done to make one rightly comfortable; food for the stomach is more important than sleep. which good friend should not be willing to sacrifice their sleep in order to cater to this need?

Jesus presents to us God as our friend, who cares and loves us and even reaches out to us. He is a God of all providence. Despite the many blocks and obstacles we have in our lives he still answers us.

The greatest revelation about God, given to us by Jesus is the attitude required of the one who supplicates; an attitude of Faith and confidence, manifested by perseverance and importunity.

They who ask in faith or seeks or Knocks will find a sure answer with the one with whom all things are possible.

But do not forget to ask for the greatest and the best thing that one could ever ask for; the Holy Spirit.

For without the help of the Holy Spirit we will lack confidence and may never know whom to ask for bread and whether our friend has enough bread to provide for our need. 

Prayer: Lord God, you are more than a friend to us, give me the help of your Holy Spirit to ask all those things that glorifies you.

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