Luke 11:1-11
In today’s Gospel reading is another interesting lesson to learn. After Jesus did prayer in a certain place, his disciples asked him to teach them how to pray as John did it to his disciples. It is the same prayer that Jesus taught that is recorded in the Book of Matthew (6:5-15). Luke and Matthew have different perspectives on dealing with prayer. The Lukan community was very much concerned with prayer in action. Because a prayer without action is wasted.
The Lord’s Prayer is an essential prayer for all Christians. It may be recited from time to time as to have a perfect living. We can recite this prayer thrice a day or more. However, once we recite this prayer, we need to practice what we said. This is the second procedure in prayer, which is known as perseverance. Perseverance in prayer is not a form of reciting the Lord’s Prayer as many times as you can. Rather, it is the actualization of what you said in prayer.
We need to act accordingly for the sake of needy people who are asking for help or a favor. Jesus recounted the story of perseverance: if somebody is knocking at your door and asking for food, you have no choice but to provide it. Don’t give that unessential thing as mentioned by Jesus—that you never give a child a snake if your child is asking for fish; instead, give what they need. The Ayuda system is essential during the time of pandemic; however, it is unessential momentarily because it may distinguish a dole-out for political favor.
Helping the needy as a practice for all believers is our duty. And sometimes we are feeling tired of helping them because they are abusing us. Apostle Paul appeals to us not to grow weary of doing what is right because we will reap at harvest time if we do not give up (Galatians 6:9). Thus, all believers must double their efforts to yield results. Many Filipinos are suffering now due to massive floods in various areas. As believers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to respond by sharing our resources with the victims. No need to look for an opportunity to help; instead, we act accordingly.
Finally, perseverance in prayer is a call for action while we are reciting the Lord’s Prayer. If we miss reciting the prayer, but we do it right to the other person, then it is a form of prayer for action. And the true meaning of spirituality is in prayer and action. St. Augustine taught us that divine gifts from God come through perseverance in prayer because it is essentially maintaining our faith and spiritual strength in our lives forever.
Prayer
Thanks for the prayer that you taught us. From this prayer, we learn how to respond to the needy as well as to those we discriminate against. And through the prayer, we are becoming perfectly mature people to help our neighbors. Bless us, O Lord, and hear our prayer always. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.
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Prof. Ruel D. Garcia is a theology professor at La Consolacion University Philippines as well as the former editor-in-chief of the International Journal on Culture, History, and Religion (IJCHR.paschr.ph).
