17th Sunday in Ordinary Time 

Genesis 18:20-32

Psalm 137(138):1-3,6-8

Colossians 2:12-14

Luke 11:1-13

In these vibrant weeks of Ordinary Time, often dubbed the 'green Sundays', the Church unveils a treasure trove of teachings about Our Lord through our scripture readings. Imagine Jesus, at times, teaching His closest friends, the Apostles, sharing profound truths that illuminate their hearts. Picture Him captivating the crowds that hung on His every word, boldly confronting those who opposed Him, and performing breathtaking miracles that stirred souls! Yet, amidst this whirlwind of activity, incredibly, He often seeks solitude, carving out precious moments for deep, personal communication with the Father.

Why does Jesus crave these moments of quiet reflection? It’s essential! His example teaches us that we, too, need our own quiet time to recharge spiritually and engage in heartfelt conversations with God. It's tempting to think that simply attending Mass every Sunday is sufficient, but the honest truth may hit a bit hard: it’s not enough. Yes, there are immense graces bestowed upon us during Mass, especially when we receive the Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. However, if our Mass experience lacks the richness of private prayer, it risks becoming routine, mechanical, and devoid of true engagement. We risk being there "without due care and attention", and we don't want that!

Saint Augustine encapsulates this beautifully in one of his meditations: 'You, O my God, went looking for me at a time when I was not looking for you; and you went looking for me so that I might begin to look for you.' These powerful words remind us that it is God who initiates the relationship. He reaches out to us through the Sacraments, the Scriptures, and the living tradition of the Church, nurturing our spiritual lives in solitude, where the real transformation takes place beyond mere appearances.

Our inner spiritual journey is where we respond to the gentle nudging of God’s grace. Revelation speaks to this urgency: "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Christ is beckoning at the door of our hearts, ready to commune with us! Saint Augustine reminds us that to truly love, we must first know the One we love. No matter how fervently we feel, our faith must be grounded in truth—after all, Catholicism celebrates the truth, and Christ is "the way, the truth, and the life." Prayer is our essential tool for uncovering and embracing that truth.

As we strive to internalize these profound truths, we also face the exciting challenge of living by them! It’s not about waiting until perfection knocks to begin praying; that's an impossible standard. Instead, we embark together on the beautiful journey of prayer hand in hand with the gradual transformation of our hearts and behaviors under Christ’s loving guidance. Yes, it’s tough to be good, but striving for goodness is integral to deepening our knowledge and love of Christ, merging the life of prayer with living authentically as Catholics.

But remember, the ultimate aim of our prayer life and spiritual journey isn’t merely about contemplating divine truths or simply being moral. It’s about forging a genuine union with God! It’s a misstep to think we pray just to become virtuous or to grasp the doctrines of our faith better, even though those are vital aspects. At its core, prayer is about one thing: loving God. That's the essence of our existence! We love God for the sake of experiencing true union with Him—a union that begins in this life and blossoms into eternity.

When we attempt to love God, even if our efforts feel wobbly, we elevate ourselves from the ordinary to the extraordinary! God is calling us to holiness, and how foolish it would be to ignore that divine invitation! He has instilled within us an insatiable desire for Him—our better selves yearn for the Lord! Yet, we can overshadow this beautiful God-given longing in countless misguided ways—through distractions and disordered desires—but here’s the thrilling part: we can break free! Embrace this extraordinary challenge and embark on a journey that promises to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. The adventure of faith awaits!