主日讀經反思　Sunday Scripture Meditation　（25/07/2010）

本主日讀經︰
創世紀　18:20-21,23-32
聖詠　138[137]:1-2,2-3,6-7,8
哥羅森書　2:12-14
路加福音　11:1-13

默想︰

今天的聖道禮說明向天主求恩的重要性。亞巴郎以謙遜、虔誠和堅持的態度，求天主放過索多馬和哈摩辣兩座城。耶穌親自教我們的「天主經」，亦教我們天天向天父祈求。耶穌也曾鼓勵我們鍥而不捨地求、敲、尋找。

向天主求恩，不是只在道明需要。天主根本不需要我們禀告，全知的天主，知悉一切。天主渴望的是和我們在愛中交談，讓我們在祈求當中醒覺自己的有限，承認需要祂的恩寵，感悟祂是如何深愛著我們。向天主求恩亦會讓我們發現天主的意思，進而順從。祈求亦是在預妥去接受天主早已給我們預備好的恩寵。

全能仁慈的天父，不但知道我們需要甚麼，且會在適當的時候給我們施恩。所以，我們祈求的態度要謙遜，要虔誠，要有恆心。深愛著我們的天主，絕對不會不理我們的祈求。

主啊！我幾時呼號祢，祢就俯允我，並將我靈魂上的力量增多。感謝祢用祢的右手救了我，我深信祢必替我完全我的工程。


【摘自和平七月號】



Readings (Year C) page 9:
Genesis 18: 20-32
Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8 Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.
Colossians 2: 12-14
Luke 11: 1-13

Meditation

Today's liturgy of the word teaches us the importance of prayer of petition. Abraham is humble, persistent and fervent when asking God for mercy over Sodom and Gomorrah. Jesus gives us the prayer of "Our Father" as a model of our daily prayer and He makes it on purpose a prayer of petition. It is also Jesus who encourages us to ask, knock and seek because God wants to listen to our petitions.

We should always remember however that a prayer of petition is not simply a request or information about our needs. God already knows what we need. Nevertheless, He wants to listen to our prayers because His desire is to engage us into a dialogue of love with himself. When we ask God, we realize our dependence on Him, His abundant love of us and we learn how to accept His will and trust in His providence. Prayer of petition prepares us also for the graces that God has already intended to give us.

We have to make our petitions to God with deep trust, humility and perseverance because He is our heavenly and merciful Father who not only knows what we need but will provide His graces at the proper time. God loves us so much that He never ignores our petitions.

"O Lord, when I called You answered me; You built up strength within me. Your right hand saves me. The Lord will complete what He has done for me."


Shalom – Thoughts for Prayer