Word to the Wise
Thursday, October 9, 2025 - Thursday in the 27th Week in Ordinary Time
[Mal 3:13-20b and Luke 11:5-13]"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him." [Luke]
OCTOBER 9 ST. LOUIS BERTRAND, OP
There is an old saying, commonly but erroneously attributed to St. Augustine, that urges, "Pray as if everything depends on God; work as if everything depends on you!" In my experience, the second half of that statement seems to be a problem to a lot of folks, although the first half is a challenge in itself.
Jesus urges perseverance in prayer. But he also urges action. In the image in today's gospel, the one who needed the bread didn't just pray for it, he went and knocked on the door of the neighbor in the middle of the night! I get numerous requests from student friends to pray for their success in a particular exam or interview. I do pray for those intentions, but I hope the student in question also studies the material and prepares for the interview. It is the Holy Spirit who provides the divine help, as Jesus points out. Another old expression captures this: "God helps those who help themselves!"
Jesus uses the example of responsible parenthood to illustrate his teaching in this. Just because a child wants something doesn't mean they should get it. The grocery store scene of a crying child who wants a particular item that mom knows is not a good idea is one that many of us have observed!
We do not always know our long range best interests. We have to trust that the Holy Spirit does know them. Our challenge is to pray for good discernment and then work for a good outcome. AMEN
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