Here are some of the main themes that we discover in the Mass readings for the 17th Sunday of the Year.
1st Reading – Genesis 18:20-32
Seeing the sin of Sodom and Gomorrah, God goes down to determine their punishment.
Abraham bargains with God, pleading that even if there are only ten innocent people, God will not destroy it.
Psalm – 138:1-3,6-8
“Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me.”
We give thanks for God’s kindness and truth, calling upon the Lord when our enemies threaten us.
2nd Reading – Colossians 2:12-14
In baptism we were buried and raised with Christ.
Nailed to the cross, the bond of sin has been obliterated.
Gospel – Luke 11:1-13
When a disciple asks Jesus to teach them to pray, Christ gives them the Lord’s Prayer (Luke’s version.)
Jesus then offers a parable about persistence, reminding the disciples to ask, seek, and knock for what they need as they trust in the love of their heavenly Father.
St. Paul’s rejection in Athens reminds us that we, too, will encounter mocking and ridicule for our faith in Christ. When it happens may we recall that we are in good company! Just remember: we never know how a single a word we say can lift someone up and lead them to the Lord.
Don’t give up. Don’t. Give. Up. The Scriptures today show us the need to be persistent, call upon one another for help and keep praying each and every day for what we need. Keep fighting, keep moving forward…but don’t give up!
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