Luke 11, 1-13 Three counsels of Jesus José Antonio Pagola “I say to you: ask and you will receive. Seek and you will find. Knock and it will be opened.” Jesus could easily have said these words when he moved through the villages of Galilee begging for something to eat, looking for shelter and knocking at the doors of neighbors. He knew how to make use of the most ordinary experiences of life to arouse the trust of his followers in the Good Father of all. Interestingly, we are never told at any time what we ought to ask for or seek; nor are we told at which door we are to knock. The attitude is what matters for Jesus. Before the Father we are to live like the poor begging for what we need to live on, like the lost seeking the road we don’t know well, like the helpless who knock at the door of God. The three counsels of Jesus invite us to raise trust in the Father, but they do so with different nuances. To “ask” is the attitude proper of the poor. We have to beg from God what we cannot give to ourselves: the breath of life, forgiveness, inner peace, salvation. “To seek” is not only to ask. It is, besides, taking steps to obtain what is not within our reach. Thus we have to seek above all the kingdom of God and his justice: a more humane and dignified world for all. “To call” is to knock at the door, to insist, to call out to God when we feel him far away. The trust of Jesus in the Father is absolute. He wants his followers never to forget him: “ he who asks, receives, he who seeks finds, he who knocks has the door opened to him.” Jesus does not say they receive exactly what they ask, find what they seek, or obtain what they call for. His promise is a different one: to those who trust in him, God gives; those who turn to him receive “good things”. Jesus does not give complicated explanations. He gives three examples which fathers and mothers of all times will understand. “Which of you, fathers or mothers, if your son asks for a loaf of bread will give him a round shaped stone like those found along the roads? Or if asked for a fish will give him a water snake that sometimes appears in fishing nets? Or, if asked for an egg will give him a smashed scorpion found on the shore of the lake? Parents do not make fun of their children. They do not deceive them nor given them something that can harm them but “good things” . Jesus quickly draws the conclusion: “How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” For Jesus, the best we can ask and receive from God is his Breath which sustains and saves our lives.
Posted on: Fri, 26 Jul 2013 17:47:15 +0000
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