In today’s Gospel reading, Jesus tells the disciples the Father’s desire to provide us with all that is good for us. It is interesting to note that in His first example, a friend is asking for something that is for another’s good and not his own. A man seeks provisions from a friend in order to provide for another. Jesus stresses that persistence and perseverance will yield results when what is sought is for the good. He promises that prayers will be answered and goes on to remind us that the Father only gives what is for our well-being and benefit. There will be many moments in our recovery life when we are required to call on God, and we must do so with trust and perseverance.

Our daily lives present us with many situations that challenge us to be patient and trusting of God and His goodness. Very real and stressful scenarios arise in our lives and those of our loved ones, including financial, health, employment, and interpersonal troubles that need God’s intervention and grace. As recovering addicts, the burden of such troubles is compounded by our history of “medicating” ourselves to shield us from life’s common worries. Let us pray with confidence and persistence for what we can trust will be God’s blessing of grace and mercy in our lives and those of the ones we love. God did not bring us into recovery to experience a life of misery; He called us to a life of abundance.

Reflection Questions

• How has persistence and perseverance in your prayer life yielded results? Were your prayers answered in the way you expected?
• What are the similarities and differences in your petitionary prayer when you are praying for the needs of others as compared with your own requests?

Daily Mass Readings

First Reading: Galatians 3:1-5
Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:69-70, 71-72, 73-75
Gospel: Luke 11:5-13

Reflection by Mark L.