Thursday, March 13, 2003
1^st Week of Lent

1st Reading: Es C, 12, 14-16, 23-25
Gospel: Mt 7:7-12

Jesus said to his disciples, “Ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and the door will be opened to him who knocks. Would any of you give a stone to your son when he asks for bread? Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish? As bad as you are, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

“So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there you have the Law and the Prophets.”

Commentary

Jesus reminds his disciples of the tremendous love the Father has for them. It’s a love that only seeks what is good for his sons and daughters. It’s a love that explains why at times, what we ask for is not what we receive. True enough, there are moments—sometimes even very difficult ones—when we ask God for assistance and find our prayers seemingly unanswered. And then we begin to wonder about God’s providence and care. When moments such as these do come, it would be good for us to remember the words of Jesus in today’s gospel—they are meant to assure us, that although we sometimes fail to see God’s concern for us, it is there nonetheless, just as real as the sun which sometimes hides behind thick clouds on a rainy day.

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