Knock, Knock

October 10, 2024 Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Galatians 3:1-5, 7-14; Luke 11:5-13

One of the great temptations in today’s world is the illusion of self-sufficiency—the belief that we don’t need God. Society bombards us with the notion that anything is possible if we simply work hard enough.

While perseverance is important, this mentality can subtly distance us from God, leading us to forget that He is the true source of all grace. We begin to see ourselves as the masters of our own fate, which weakens our relationship with the Father.

However, today’s Gospel reminds us of our dependence on God. Everything we are and everything we have is a gift of grace. This doesn't mean we should passively wait for life to happen or stop working hard. Rather, it emphasizes the need to ask.

Though God already knows the deepest desires of our hearts, He never forces His will upon us. By asking Him for what we need, we demonstrate our faith, humility, and recognition that only through Him are all things possible.

The Gospel also teaches us the value of persistence—persistence in prayer and persistence in action. This persistence, which pleases God, is different from insistence. Persistence means not giving up, not losing heart, and trusting in God's mercy and perfect timing.

It is about relying on His wisdom rather than imposing our own will. In contrast, insistence involves demanding that God meet our desires on our terms and within our timeline.

Call to Action for Catholic Living: Humility and persistence are the fruits of a deep faith in God's boundless mercy and love. When we knock with persistence, we express our trust in God’s timing and rely on His divine plan. Let us continue to approach God with a heart full of faith, trusting that He will answer in His perfect time.