Seventeenth Ordinary

Luke 11: 1 – 4

One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said, “Master, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples”. So he said, “When you pray, say, Father, reveal who you are. Set the world right. Keep us alive with three square meals. Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil”.

Years back, a series of commercials promoted good banking practices by highlighting bad ones. In one spot a little girl is asked by a banker if she would like a pony. When she says yes, she is handed a toy pony. As she plays with her gift, another little girl sitting next to her is asked the same question and also replies yes. She is then handed the reins of a real pony. The first little girl, visibly disappointed, says, “You didn’t say I could have a real pony”. The banker replies, “Well, you didn’t ask”. We sympathise with the first little girl who is left with the lesser gift. It doesn’t seem fair and the banker comes across as a big meanie.

None of us, old or young, can possibly anticipate every option and contingency that might present itself. If we aren’t very specific about what we want, does that mean we must always settle for less? In certain circles, perhaps, but not with the divine. God tells us all we need to do is ask, and we shall receive. But unlike the slick banker, God is not trying to trick us. God wants to shower us with every gift imaginable.

When it comes to the ask, we don’t need to know all the details, all we need say is, “Your will be done”. Once we put God in control, we will want for nothing and our heart’s desires will be fulfilled.