Today’s readings tell us that our God is an approachable God – both Father and friend. Even as the outraged Lord of the Old Testament prepared to punish Sodom and Gomorrah for the wickedness of their inhabitants, Abraham was able to negotiate with Him. And in today’s Gospel, Jesus suggests a way of praying that connects us with our Creator who is also our Friend. He introduces what we call the “Our Fatherâ€. We relate to God as a human family, rather than simply as individuals.
The Gospel also contains the parable of the friend at midnight. That friend is knocking at a neighbor’s door, seeking help to offer hospitality to a traveler who has just arrived at his home in need of food and shelter. Of course, there were no late-night supermarkets in those days, so borrowing from a friend was the only option. What seems to be so important in the story is the persistence shown by the man knocking on the door. Jesus is saying that if friends come through for us despite the inconveniences they face, how much more will God come through for us.
St. Luke, more than any other of the writers of the Gospels, tells us about the prayer life of Jesus. Jesus prayed often, regularly connecting with God the Father. So prayer is about connecting. Prayer is a way of connecting to God, enabling us to communicate – to listen and to speak. Jesus encourages us to speak freely with God and give voice to our longings. Prayer can at times be difficult, but even at difficult times it helps if we try to make more of a habit of daily prayer and develop our spiritual dimension. We could converse with God when waking up in the morning, when considering our state of health and the well-being of family and friends.