Shikrot Mpwi – Sunday Synopsis
Fr. Justine John Dyikuk
Dear friends in Christ,
On the Seventeenth Sunday of the Year, C (July 27, 2025), I bring you greetings and God’s blessings!
Theme: Pray Until Something Happens (PUSH)
Introduction
Today’s liturgy inspires us to be persistent in our prayer life. Prayer is a heartfelt conversation with God that requires unwavering perseverance and dedication. While He always answers our prayers, His responses come in His perfect timing and often in unexpected ways. In the first reading, we see Abraham boldly negotiating with God about the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah. This leads us to Paul’s assurance that Christ has redeemed our sins by nailing them to the cross. In the gospel, Jesus teaches us the Lord’s Prayer, embodying Latria, the highest form of worship during the Mass.
Review of the Readings
In Genesis 18:20-32, we see Abraham courageously interceding with God on behalf of Sodom and Gomorrah. Aware of their grave sins and the outcry against them, Abraham pleads for mercy, asking if God would spare the cities for the sake of 50 righteous people. God agrees. Abraham continues to negotiate, asking if God would spare them for 45, 40, 30, and 20 righteous individuals, to which God responds positively each time. When Abraham asks about just 10, God reaffirms His commitment to show mercy for the sake of the few righteous. This poignant dialogue highlights the impact of compassion and the possibility of hope even amidst significant wrongdoing.
In Colossians 2:12-14, St. Paul reveals that Christ has erased our debt by nailing it to the cross. He notes that through baptism, we are buried and resurrected with Him, thanks to our faith in the God who conquered death. While we were once spiritually dead due to our sins, Christ offers us new life through His forgiveness, granting us true freedom and restoration.
In Luke 11:1-13, Jesus teaches His disciples how to pray, presenting the “Our Father” as a foundational model. He shares the story of a man who, needing to host a late-night visitor, boldly requests three loaves of bread from a sleeping friend. Despite initial reluctance, it is the man’s persistence that ultimately leads to help, highlighting the power of determination. Jesus then assures us: “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” He illustrates that no loving father would give his child a stone instead of bread or a snake instead of a fish. In a compelling conclusion, Jesus emphasizes that if even flawed humans give good gifts, how much more will our heavenly Father generously provide the Holy Spirit to those who ask? This message inspires us to seek God’s presence and trust in His abundant goodness.
Exemplars of Persistence in Prayer
- Jacob: In a decisive moment during his encounter with an angel, Jacob boldly proclaimed, “I will not let you go until you bless me” (Gen. 32:26). This remarkable declaration exemplifies the strength of persistence and unwavering determination.
- Moses: In the battle between the Israelites and the Amalekites, Israel succeeded as long as Moses kept his hands raised in prayer; when they fell, the Amalekites gained the upper hand (Ex. 17:11). This story powerfully highlights the importance of persistence and perseverance.
- St. Monica: She spent years in prayer for her wayward son, Augustine, and her faith was eventually rewarded. Inspired by St. Ambrose’s sermon, Augustine embraced Christianity and transformed his life. Thanks to his mother’s relentless devotion, he became a priest and later rose to the rank of bishop, leaving a lasting legacy.
- St. Rita of Cascia: Born in 1381 in central Italy, she dreamed of becoming a nun, but her parents married her off at just 12 years old. She endured 18 years in an abusive marriage, yet her unwavering prayer and faith led to a profound change in her husband before his passing, leaving her with two sons to raise. Rita’s dedication ultimately gained her admission to a convent, where she spent the rest of her life praying for sinners and those facing overwhelming challenges. Her journey is a powerful reminder that perseverance can overcome any obstacle. Today, she is celebrated as the Patron Saint of Impossible Cases, inspiring us to believe in the power of faith and resilience.
Takeaway Lessons
- In his dialogue with God, Abraham persistently pleads for the fate of Sodom and Gomorrah, asking if they could be spared for just 50, 45, 30, 20, or even 10 righteous individuals. This robust exchange underscores the importance of unwavering prayer, encouraging us to remain steadfast in our commitment, regardless of our circumstances.
- Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah teaches pastors of souls the importance of engaging deeply with their communities. As Pope Francis advises, we must connect with those we serve, embracing their struggles to foster compassion and authenticity in our ministry.
- By assuring Abraham that He would spare the city for just ten righteous individuals, the text highlights God’s immense patience and desire for sinners to reform, showing that even a small number of virtuous people can create significant change.
- St. Paul’s message that Christ gives us life through the forgiveness of our sins highlights the gospel’s call to forgive others. This act of forgiveness is essential for inheriting eternal life.
- In the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus teaches us to honor God first before presenting our needs and those of the world. This approach inspires us to engage in prayer actively—asking, seeking, and knocking—through the principle of “Praying Until Something Happens” (PUSH).
Conclusion
Guided by the examples of Jacob, Moses, and Saints Monica and Rita, we are reminded to trust in God’s timing, for His ways are beyond our understanding (Isaiah 55:8). We should not seek God only in times of need; instead, let us consistently praise Him and cultivate a relationship built on gratitude. As the African proverb suggests, “You should be close to the ferry owner in the dry season so that when the rainy season comes, he can ferry you across the river.” This wisdom underscores the importance of maintaining our connection with God. May we receive the grace to remain steadfast in prayer, trusting that He will fulfill our hearts’ desires. Amen!
