Will you pray for others?
On this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, the book of Genesis tells us of a
meaningful exchange between Abraham and God about an upcoming judgment
against Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities known for their grave sins. In a sincere
act of intercession, Abraham asks God if the innocent might be spared along with
the guilty. His conversation with God starts with a hope for fifty righteous people
and gradually decreases in number, demonstrating his love for the people and
his trust in God’s mercy.
Abraham’s bargaining emphasizes the power of prayer and the importance
of intercession for others. It encourages us to ask if we are willing to support our
brothers, sisters, and communities when they need us most? The story
demonstrates that even during challenging times and in the face of serious
wrongs, a compassionate divine presence is willing to listen and answer when
we sincerely ask for mercy on behalf of others.
In today’s Gospel, in His parable, Jesus emphasizes the importance of
persistence in prayer. His assurance that being persistent in our requests will
bring responses, connects directly to Abraham’s intercession, further highlighting
an essential truth: God is attentive to our needs and he calls us to continually
seek Him. Jesus promised, “Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find;
knock, and the door will be opened to you.” This call to sincere prayer speaks of
God’s willingness to respond, showing us that our persistence in prayer can lead
us directly into His divine grace.
As we reflect on these readings, we are encouraged to prioritize the spiritual
well-being of our families and communities. Are we actively seeking out the
virtuous among us? Can we find fifty, or perhaps even ten people willing to
answer the call for prayerful intercession? In a world that often feels broken and
burdened by hardship, are we willing to take it upon ourselves to be agents of
change through prayer?
Dear brothers and sisters, as we gather in prayer, let us take a moment to
reflect on the strength we find in collective intercession. Together we can build a
caring support network, uplifting each other through prayer. Following Abraham’s
inspiring example, we remain faithful, trusting that God, who is slow to anger and
full of mercy, will answer our prayers. Let’s continue to pray persistently,
confident that our prayers will bring about meaningful change, not only within
ourselves but also throughout our communities. God is lovingly waiting for our
petitions, ready to pour out His boundless mercy on everyone who seeks Him.Rev. Dominic Toan Tran, Pastor