While Matthew’s version underlines forgiveness of transgressions in the “Lord’s Prayer” (6:14-15), Luke highlights trust and confidence.

This is illustrated by the parable of a Friend Who Knocks at Midnight and Jesus’ command to ask, to seek, and knock.

The parable makes a comparison between a man who bothers his friend late in the evening and a father who gives good gifts to his children.

The bothersome neighbor puts his friend on a bind by reminding him of the obligation of hospitality, to give loaves of bread to a visitor.

In a culture bound by the duty of hospitality, to refuse a neighbor in need is tantamount to refusing hospitality to his visitor— thus, putting the burden of shame on the one who refuses. He will also lose face before the community in not helping.

Jesus teaches that God need not be “awakened” to respond to our petitions as he is a loving father who knows our needs. But we have to ask him in prayer.

In prayer we are communicating with him, thank him for his goodness, and show that we need his help.

Not to pray, yet hope and wait for his sustenance, reveals that we are spoiled children who make demands of God.

First Reading • Mal 3:13-20b

You have defied me in word, says the Lord, yet you ask, “What have we spoken against you?”

You have said, “It is vain to serve God, and what do we profit by keeping his command, and going about in penitential dress in awe of the Lord of hosts? Rather must we call the proud blessed; for indeed evildoers prosper, and even tempt God with impunity.”

Then they who fear the Lord spoke with one another, and the Lord listened attentively; and a record book was written before him of those who fear the Lord and trust in his name.

And they shall be mine, says the Lord of hosts, my own special possession, on the day I take action. And I will have compassion on them, as a man has compassion on his son who serves him.

Then you will again see the distinction between the just and the wicked; between the one who serves God, and the one who does not serve him.

For lo, the day is coming, blazing like an oven, when all the proud and all evildoers will be stubble, and the day that is coming will set them on fire, leaving them neither root nor branch, says the Lord of hosts.

But for you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays.

Responsorial Psalm • Ps 1

“Blessed are they who hope in the Lord.”

Gospel • Luke 11:5-13

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’

I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.

For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?

Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

Source: “365 Days with the Lord 2025,” St. Paul’s, 7708 St. Paul Rd., SAV, Makati City (Phils.); Tel.: 632-895-9701; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: http://www.stpauls.ph.