Malachi 3:13-20
Luke 11:5-13
Today we turn to the Book of Malachi, written around the 5th century BC, for our first reading. Here we see the Lord comforting those who are not pleased that the sinful ones seem to prosper as much and sometimes appear to be better than those who are God-fearing. But the Lord consoles them by telling them that the day of judgment for the sinful ones is fast approaching and when that comes, those who have been God-fearing will have the sun of righteousness shining upon them.
Today’s Gospel text is a continuation of yesterday’s Gospel of the other Lord’s prayer from Luke. Today the Lord continues to urge his disciples to be persistent and persevere in their prayers. In today’s gospel, we see Luke’s version of the famous Matthew 7:7,” So, I say to you: ask, and it will be given to you; search and you will find; knock and shall be opened to you. -Luke 11:9-10.
In other words, we are told that those who pray to God will have their prayers answered. He does not tell us that we will get what it is that we are asking for but he does tell us that our prayers will be answered especially if we are consistent in our prayers. We must therefore approach God in confidence with the right intention. This must also be done with persistence and great perseverance keeping in mind that our relationship with God is righteous in his sight.
Fr Joseph Osho