16th Sunday in Ordinary Time – July 17, 2022

Theme: Unwavering Faith to the Father’s Goodness

First Reading: Genesis 18:20-33

Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 138:1-8

Second Reading: Colossians 2:8–14

Gospel Reading: Luke 11:5-13

Homily by Fr. Romie- Jun Peñalosa

“Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and the door shall be open to you”.

We have heard this scripture many times already and we know what it’s teaching us – to pray always. Today’s gospel really encourages us to pray. Father Jun reminded us of the legacy of faith Primate Ricardo has passed on to us and that we have to continue learning from it and standing on it. But aside from this, he also taught us the importance of prayer. As seen in his life, he was truly a man of prayer.

Do we really pray? Have we come to a point that prayer is like breathing to us? Many Christians have abandoned prayer. They go to church,  worship, minister, and do woks – but they lost their prayer life; that passion and burning desire to be in the presence of the Lord, conversing with Him and lifting their minds to Him. Why? Because of discouragement. Many easily get discouraged when they pray and cannot see the answer.

As a house of prayer, Father Jun emphasized the importance of praying. We need to keep that burning passion to be with God in prayer. Why are we discouraged to pray? Father Jun reminded us today, that God would like us to see the answers to all our prayers! But before it could happen, let us get rid of all the discouragements in our hearts and change the way we see God.  We are discouraged because sometimes we have developed that wrong perception of God. We somehow see Him as a reluctant old man. But NO, God is more than willing to give us what we are praying for.  We have not because we ask not!  (St. James). And why don’t we ask? It’s because sometimes, we see God as someone who will answer us if we can convince Him. He is not a Lord that we need to convince because He is convinced already of our needs. The secret to answered prayer is – we should know first how to ask God.

Three things to develop in prayer life:

  1. We should pray shamelessly. Pray with boldness, with confidence to God. Though we are sinners, He sent Jesus to cleanse us from our sins so that we can stand before Him blameless. He gives to us because He loves us so much! And He knows our needs even before we ask.
  2. We need to pray persistently. Never give up in prayer even if you haven’t seen the answer yet. Continue and be persistent. Do not be content to ask once and move on. Jesus himself taught us that we are to continually and persistently bring our prayers to the Father.
  3. Pray expectantly. Pray expecting an answer. Believe that what you have asked, you will receive.

God knows what is good and best for us. He doesn’t settle for less. He gives what we ask, not today but definitely on the best and perfect time. So we have nothing to be doubtful for our interest is in His heart!

Recap by:

MERCY DE LA CRUZ-ESPIRITU

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