Shalom

29Jul Sun	17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (C)
	Gen. 18:20-32 Ps. 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 Col. 2:12-14 Lk. 11:1-13

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Certainty and serenity are two essential qualities of a good Christian life. It is instructive to pay attention to the way in which Jesus and the Apostles express their teaching. Through Jesus and the words of Scripture, God speaks to us in a clear and affirmative way. God does not leave us guessing about things. Especially when we read today's doctrine about prayer, we are consoled and strengthened by the strong affirmative words of Jesus, "Ask and you shall receive". There is no question of mere possibility, no "perhaps", no "maybe". There is no hesitancy. Jesus was certain of God: He was confident and serene. His strong certainty initiates us into confidence in prayer, and guides us to the same serenity of mind and heart.

Certainty is not control. Much less is it arrogance. Though Abraham stood before God with a strong confidence in his prayer, he was reverential and humble. He did not strive to control God. He explored the ways of divine mercy in favour of those whom he thought might be treated with apparent injustice. He prayed that divine mercy would prevail.

Lord, strengthen my confidence in prayer. May my hope always be in You.

DAILY OFFERING

Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH

INTENTION
That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ
Elaboration

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P R A Y I N G W I T H T H E C H U R C H

INTENTION :	That the Gospel, may be read and lived in Christian families by parents and children, so that they may bear witness to the hope of Christ
Abraham and Mary received a wonderful promise from God. For both Abraham and Mary, the divine promise came as something completely unexpected. God disrupted the daily course of their lives, overturning its settled rhythms and conventional expectations. The promise seemed impossible. We must learn to walk in darkness. Modelling ourselves on Mary, we ask her to help us look at and to listen to, to ponder and to penetrate the deep and mysterious meaning of the very simple, very humble and very beautiful appearing of the Son of God. We pray for a great renewal of faith in all the children of the Church everywhere to preach the good news to the poor. We ask her to teach us the way of humble and joyful obedience to the Gospel in the service of our brothers and sisters, without preferences and without prejudices. A deep renewal that is not just reflected in a general attitude to life, but as a conscious and courageous profession of the Creed. We ask the Holy Family to inspire all Christians to defend the family against so many present-day threats to its nature, its stability and its mission. We pray the efforts of Christians and of all people of good will to defend life and to promote respect for the dignity of every human being.
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