Word to the Wise
Thursday, October 10, 2013 - Thursday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Mal 3:13-20b and Luke 11:5-13]I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
In a small village a persistent knocking at a door in the middle of the night will attract a lot of attention! If friendship doesn't motivate the sleepy friend, reputation will! Jesus is playing on this in his image of persistence in prayer. St. Teresa of Avila is quoted as saying to God: Ïf this is the way you treat your friends, it's no surprise you have so few!"
Our friends don't always "show" their friendship in ways that we would like them to. Perhaps we would want them to be more attentive or to answer our persistent e-mails more quickly or remember our birthdays/anniversaries more faithfully - and they don't! If "measuring up" is the essence of our relationships, we will very likely have very few close ones! What IS important is the bond of love, which brings forth many rewards that exceed a birthday card! Yes, we will have to be persistently faithful if we wish to have a friendship with God (or with anyone else). We cannot be doubting God's love and fidelity simply because we think God is not "measuring up!" Jesus does show a bit of humor in suggesting that God's reputation might be an incentive if we are persistent enough, but persistence is not of the essence. Faithfulness is! AMEN