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Thursday 27th Sunday OT I
Quebec Cruise on Crystal Cruise Line
October 12, 2017
RELATIONSHIP ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Someone once joked about his brother-in-law, saying, “You know, he’s not real bright; he thinks
the theory of relativity is about your cousins, your relatives”
Ø Today’s Gospel subject is about prayer — not relatives
and relationships
Ø However, when we get to the bottom of it all, prayer is
about relationship — our relationship with God
Ø In fact, unless we create a close relationship with God,
we will constantly be disappointed in our prayers
FATHER/SON RELATIONSHIP +++++++++++++++++++++
Ø Luke tells us that Jesus promises answers to our prayers,
saying, “I tell you, ask and you will
receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you”
Ø But Jesus further elaborates by asking, “What father among you would hand his son a
snake when he asks for a fish?”
Ø Jesus is using the father/son comparison for a reason
Ø I believe the safe presumption is that there is a loving
relationship between the father and the son
Ø The father and son have spent time together
Ø They care about each other
Ø They have worked, talked, and listened to each other;
they love one another
APPLICATION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø But loving relationships don’t simply happen
Ø They are built up, brick by brick, over time, over the
long haul
Ø It is our long-haul relationship with God that makes for
a deeply loving commitment
Ø We move from understanding (here in our heads) to loving
(here in our hearts) with Jesus through (1) silence, (2) being in the present
moment and (3) noticings
Ø And out of this regular practice a relationship is born
and thrives
CONCLUSION +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Ø It is from within such a loving relationship then that
our prayers are answered
Ø It takes developing the relationship first
Ø Seeing prayers answered, follows
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
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