how much more

Thursday, March 17, 2011
St. Patrick, Bishop (Commemoration)

First Reading: Psalm: Gospel:

Esther C:12, 14-16, 23-25 Psalm 138:1-3, 7-8 Matthew 7:7-12

Matthew 7:11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!

I think that often we have trouble asking for help from anyone, much less God. There is a thread of pride that doesn't really allow us to humiliate ourselves into asking for help. That is why it is hard for us to truly understand this verse. Oh, I think we understand it intellectually, but I don't think we understand it to the degree of living it as a reality.
To be in the place where we are willing to ask for help, we have to have a sense of hopelessness, a sense that there is nothing we can do and asking for help is our last chance. If we are not in that place, if we do not feel that our backs are against the wall, then we will never truly put ourselves in the hands of another. Are we willing to lay prostrate and pray?
To truly believe that God will be much more generous than we can, we must be in a place where we realize that we can't solve the problem ourselves.

Father, help me by your Holy Spirit to truly realize that I am helpless and that I can't save myself. Help me to truly believe that you have my best interest in mind and to trust in you.
Amen