Blessed Josaphata Hordashevska, First Superior of the Sisters Servants of Mary Immaculate (+1919); Our Venerable Father Gregory of Decapolis (842); Our Holy Father Proclus, Archbishop of Constantinople (446); Forefeast of the Entrance of the Most Holy Mother of God into the Temple
1 Thessalonians 2:1-8; Luke 11:9-13
Nativity Fast. A day when the faithful are highly encouraged to participate in the Divine Liturgy.
Read Luke 11:9-13
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
In our gospel reading today, Our Lord reminds His Disciples to ask their Heavenly Father for gifts! How often do we hear as fathers ourselves: “daddy…can I have…?” It is a joy to hear these supplications from our little ones, even if we don’t always grant what it is that is asked.
This is the same with our Heavenly Father. We are encouraged to ask, and He always hears us, even if He does not grant what it is that we request. We can be sure that His plan will work out for our ultimate benefit, even if it turns out in a way we would not expect. At the same time we should consider carefully what it is that we are in fact asking the Lord for. Is it really a worthy appeal?
In commenting on this passage St. Cyril of Alexandria writes:
We sometimes come near to our bounteous God offering him petitions for various objects according to each one’s pleasure. Sometimes we pray without discernment or any careful examination of what truly is to our advantage, and if granted by God would prove a blessing or would be to our injury if we received it. Rather, by the inconsiderate impulse of our fancy, we fall into desires full of ruin that thrust the souls of those that entertain them into the snare of death and the meshes of hell. When we ask of God anything of this kind, we will by no means receive it. On the contrary, we offer a petition suitable only for ridicule. Why will we not receive it? Is the God of all weary of bestowing gifts on us? By no means. “Why then,” someone may say, “will he not give, since he is bounteous in giving?” … When he says, “You who are evil,” he means “you whose mind is capable of being influenced by evil and not uniformly inclined to good like the God of all.” “You know how to give good gifts to your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give a good spirit to them that ask him?” By a “good spirit” he means “spiritual grace.” This is good in every way. If a person receives it, he will become most blessed and worthy of admiration.” (Commentary on Luke, Homily 79).