Matthew 7.7-12

Today the evangelist Matthew tells us about God the Father's response to His children who ask Him, praying with confidence.

Jesus told His disciples that fathers on earth, even though they are bad, know how to give good things to their children when they ask them, and concluded by telling them that much more would the Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him.

For this reason, Jesus encouraged His disciples to pray with confidence, asking, seeking and knocking, because they would certainly receive, find and the door would be opened for them.

And, summarizing the Law and the prophets, Jesus cited the so-called "golden rule", which taught us to treat others as we want to be treated by them.

Prayer (along with almsgiving and fasting) is one of the commitments we make on Ash Wednesday, when we begin the Season of Lent.

There are many different types of prayer, such as praise, thanksgiving, supplication, intercession, contemplation, etc. The prayer of supplication is legitimate. When we have a need, we can and should present it with confidence to God the Father in heaven.

And let it be a supplication made with faith, recognizing that He is all-powerful, omnipotent, that nothing is impossible for Him.

At the same time, we must also recognize that God's Will is sovereign, that He sees further than we do, that His horizon is broader than ours, and that, respecting the free will of men, He can allow evil to be done, but He always brings good out of evil. We must accept it docilely, without rebelling.

This happened in the passion and crucifixion of Christ, when, despite His trusting supplication, God the Father allowed God the Son to be scourged and die on the Cross. But, as we know, from this terrible evil came the salvation of the human race.

So, in our supplication, let us pray with confidence and boldness, but always concluding with the words of Jesus in the agony of the Garden of Olives: "Father, not My will, but Yours be done" (Matthew 26:39).

Local: Springfield, MA, EUA

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