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Reflection starts at 5:30 minute mark.
Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary
July 28, 2013
First Reading GN 18:20-32
In the first reading we see further development of the identity and character of Father Abraham, as we have seen the pat few weeks. Here we see that he has a very personal relationship with God. The Lord shares His frustrations with the people of Sodom and Gomorrah, and then He threatens to destroy them.
God is good and just, but Abraham is struck by compassion for the people of these cities, and he takes a gamble by trying to work down the number he can get God to agree to spare the cities. At a first glance, it doesn’t seem to be in line with a good, loving, and just God to be willing to wipe out Sodom and Gomorrah off the map because of the attitudes of the general population. Surely there would be some good people there…
Later we find that God was right. It’s important to remember that this time and place was very entrenched with collective thinking, and individualism or going against the current wasn’t really an understood concept. There was a collective agreement to approve of immorality.
Responsorial Psalm PS 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me
Second Reading COL 2:12-14
This reading is simple. St. Paul reminds us that Christ alone is our hope of glory. He shows us that we fully participate in the Paschal mystery through our baptism. When we go down into the waters, our old selves die and are buried by the waters. Once the flowing water ends, we rise together with Christ as a new creation. It is through Christ alone that our salvation is won, and through His grace, we can nail our sins, fears, and failures to the Cross, where they have been overcome.
Gospel LK 11:1-13
After seeing the intercession of Abraham in the first reading, this week’s Gospel shows us deep insights into prayer from Our Lord Himself. This reading shows us one of the most familiar and powerful prayers we know, the Our Father or Lord’s Prayer.
Jesus also uses this peculiar example of a friend asking for a favor in the middle of the night. He teaches a lesson in the occasional need for persistence and patience while keeping faith that our petitions will be answered. Jesus is using this time to teach His disciples about faith as he prepares them for the coming tribulations that most of them would face.
Questions for further reflection: Am I actively living my baptismal call? How can I improve my prayer life?
Reflection done by Cristobal Almanza – @SoulPainter
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