A Parable for Today
“One
day on the journey of life… - I was sitting in a diner having lunch. A few tables away were two women, one with an
infant in a carrier and the other with a small boy about 2 years old. The women were chatting away seemingly
oblivious of the world around them. The
young boy, bored with the conversation and finished playing with the French
fries on his plate, was looking out of the window and spied something that held
his attention. He was excited by what he saw and wanted to share it with his
Mom.
And
so it began… we’ve all heard it at one time or another - that ever persistent
and increasing in volume - “Mom!”
“Mom!” “Mommy look!” “Mom!”
“Momeeeeeeeee, look!” “Mom!” “Mommy!” “Mooooommmmmeeeee”
This
went on for what seemed hours, but was probably only a few (ten or twenty) minutes. Finally, and much to the relief of all the
other diners and staff, Mommy turn her attention to the boy.”
Both
Abraham and Jesus teach us of the need for persistence in prayer. Both teach us that God, the Father, to whom
we pray, is not some distant deity – uncaring and unconcerned with the lives of
his people, but a real living God who is loving and compassionate.
- He is a God who is involved in the lives and anxieties of his people.
- He is a God who listens to our wants and needs; giving us the good things we ask for.
- He is a God who has come to live among us, who knows our joys and sorrows, understands our frailties and weaknesses, has witnessed the turmoil and struggles in our lives and wraps us in His embrace with mercy and love.
Both
Abraham and Jesus speak with God, the Father on familiar terms in a close open
relationship. Their prayers are a part
of their continual relationship – a constant communication with God, - as
members of one family. This is the experience
of persistence in prayer – speaking to and - listening to God, - not just when
we want something, but all the time.
We
are God’s beloved children, blood brothers and sisters - in the blood of Jesus
Christ – one family - Father to daughter - son to Father – with a God, who
loves us completely. He is truly our
Father - concerned about our lives, - and sharing in our worries and joys. He is “The Father” - completely involved with
us in a loving constant relationship. He
knows our lives and all our needs. He
desires us to turn to him in prayer, to speak with and listen to Him as our
loving Father.
Both
Abraham and Jesus teach us that our prayer is not just for ourselves, but is
for the good of all people. Abraham
petitions God on behalf of the righteous that live among the sinful – the wheat
among the weeds. He asks God to spare
all the people for the sake of these faithful
few. Without realizing it, these faithful few bear the burden of petitioning
for all people. God looks upon their
faith and constancy with mercy and love for all. Through their cries - God hears the cries of
all His people.
Jesus,
when he teaches the disciples how to pray, does not start with “My Father,” but
with “Our Father” and continues with, “Give us our daily bread, - forgive
us - our sins, - as we forgive and do not subject us
- to the final test.” Jesus teaches that
we are one people, one family – living for the common good of one another. We, together - are the people of
God. We together are the Body of
Christ, the Church. We are a communal
people: we worship and pray in together as one - in community - to God, who is
“Our Father.”
In
explicitly praying for our personal
needs - we implicitly pray for the
needs of all people and receive God’s grace.
Our prayer, - our communication with God - opens us up to His love; giving
us His grace, - so we may know and do His will - in bringing about His kingdom -
by loving all our brothers and sisters - as we are loved.
So,
pray as Jesus taught us, - his disciples – for our prayers open our hearts to
God, give us grace and bring us into an ever closer – always loving
relationship with God, who is our Father – forever and ever.
~
Amen.
Peace,
Deacon
Don Ron
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