Favor

Today’s Gospel Text: He was praying in a certain place, and when he ceased, 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 thy name. Thy kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread; 4 and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one 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 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 11:1-13

Reflection:  Why should I go to church or to a pilgrim centre?

Why do you go to such places and flock to such places; isn’t God everywhere and anywhere? Isn’t it better to pray from home?

Or why go anywhere and anyplace to pray?

We have an example in Jesus, the very reason of our prayer, about it: The scripture text reminds us that he was praying in a certain place (vs.1)

Place, time and situation make a difference while praying and God himself desires of us and invites us to do so.

Certain places and situations carry the favor of God; even though the true worshipers of the Father shall worship him in Spirit and truth.

Hence, when we talk about ideal places and situation it doesn’t mean that we should ignore the other element in Jesus' exhortation to the Samaritan woman at the well.

Instead we must pray in spirit and in truth always and everywhere and anywhere but there are moments, places and situations and times too in which we need to honor God.

We could be eating anywhere in life but yet we chose a particular place and situation or an auspicious moment.

A certain place and situation helps lift the spirit and God’s grace may rest in a particular place in a special place because of the honor that God wants to do a place on account of his beloved servants or on account of his promise or love for his people. 

The collective praise of God is a great act of worship. 

Just as he favors certain people who have been faithful to him so too the Lord is faithful to a certain place and situation.

Prayer: But thou, O Lord, art enthroned for ever; thy name endures to all generations. Thou wilt arise and have pity on Zion; it is the time to favor her; the appointed time has come. Ps 102:12-13

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Faithfulness of God

Today’s Gospel Text: In the days of Herod, king of Judea, there was a priest named Zechari'ah, of the division of Abi'jah; and he had a wife of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years.

8 Now while he was serving as priest before God when his division was on duty, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, it fell to him by lot to enter the temple of the Lord and burn incense. 10 And the whole multitude of the people were praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And Zechari'ah was troubled when he saw him, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, "Do not be afraid, Zechari'ah, for your prayer is heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth; 15 for he will be great before the Lord, and he shall drink no wine nor strong drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother's womb. 16 And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Eli'jah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared." 18 And Zechari'ah said to the angel, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." 19 And the angel answered him, "I am Gabriel, who stand in the presence of God; and I was sent to speak to you, and to bring you this good news. 20 And behold, you will be silent and unable to speak until the day that these things come to pass, because you did not believe my words, which will be fulfilled in their time." 21 And the people were waiting for Zechari'ah, and they wondered at his delay in the temple. 22 And when he came out, he could not speak to them, and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple; and he made signs to them and remained dumb. 23 And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home 24 After these days his wife Elizabeth conceived, and for five months she hid herself, saying, 25 "Thus the Lord has done to me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men."  Luke 1:5-25

Reflection: What is it that enables people to persevere, despite all odds, is a mystery which at times throws up some insights into the beauty of perseverance, when we delve into it deeply.

 We have a beautiful example in Zechariah and Elizabeth as a faith couple: "And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were advanced in years." (vss. 6-7)

This was definitely not a rosy situation; for this couple to be found righteous before God and walk in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord, that too blamelessly.

Anyone else in their place would have given up on God much before their time.

How many of us can say we have been faithful in our basic duty towards God; maybe just that daily fixed time with God, being in his presence in prayer or reading his word prayerfully.

We could be failing in this badly or may have given in to despair.

Satan’s greatest weapon against those who are serious about their walk with Christ is to lead them to despair so as to push them to give up on God or doubt God's faithfulness. 

How often we may have felt with a dejected heart and given in to despair, that God does not answer my prayers or does not respond to my petitions.

The scripture constantly assures us that God is faithful, this does not mean that God will give us whatever we ask for, it means that God always answers our prayers, because he is faithful.

Which means sometimes his answer is no to our request, because he has better things in store for us, even eternity. 

The Holy couple of scripture are shining examples of God’s answer to their prayers which may have been always “No” till an opportune time they had a son who would usher in the Savior of the World.

Prayer: Lord, grant me a spirit of fortitude, that I may never give up on you and trust boldly in  your faithfulness.

DD = Dedicated Discipleship:  Come grow in the Lord with us