Daily Catholic Lectio. Sun, 27 July ’25. Voice that Reaches the Father

Daily Catholic Lectio

Sun, 27 July 2025

Seventeenth Sunday of the Year

Genesis 18:20–32. Colossians 2:12–14. Luke 11:1–13

A Voice That Reaches the Father

Today’s readings invite us to reflect on one of the most beautiful gifts God has given us — prayer. Prayer is not magic, it is not a ritual formula. It is a relationship. It is a voice that rises from the depths of our human limits and reaches the heart of God, our Father. It is the cry of a child to their loving parent. It is a voice that touches the Father’s finger.

1. What Is Prayer? A Relationship.

Many people ask: Why should I pray? God already knows everything. Will my prayer change His plan? Does He only protect those who pray? These are honest questions. But today’s liturgy gives us two simple answers:

First, prayer is a relationship — between a child and a Father, between us and God.

Second, only human beings can pray. Just as laughter and thinking belong only to humans, so does prayer. Why? Because only we experience limits. Animals do not. Only we can feel helpless, and think beyond the present. And in doing so, we naturally turn to God. That is prayer.

2. Abraham: The Voice of Intercession

In the first reading (Genesis 18:20–32), Abraham stands before God and pleads for the sinful cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. He dares to ask:

“Will You sweep away the righteous with the wicked?” Starting from fifty righteous people, he bargains down to ten. And God, in patience and mercy, listens. This dialogue shows Abraham’s boldness — but also his deep relationship with God. Though the cities are destroyed in the end (for they had not even ten just people), God honours the trust of His servant Abraham.

Prayer does not always change the outcome, but it always deepens the relationship. Abraham was not manipulating God; he was communing with Him.

3. Jesus Teaches Us to Pray

In the Gospel (Luke 11:1–13), the disciples see Jesus praying and ask Him, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus gives them the Our Father — a prayer of two parts:

First, praising God: “Holy be Your name, Your kingdom come.” Second, presenting our needs: “Give us, forgive us, deliver us.” Jesus then tells a parable: A friend knocks at midnight, asking for bread. At first, the man inside refuses, but eventually opens — not out of friendship, but because of the persistence of the one knocking.

This is not to say that God is like a sleeping friend! On the contrary, Jesus teaches:

“Ask and it will be given; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened.”

God is not tired of us. He is not asleep. He is more generous than any earthly father. If human fathers give good things to their children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him! (Luke 11:13)

4. Prayer is not a Magic Wand

Prayer is not a magical lamp like Aladdin’s. It is not a wand that changes reality at our command. Rather, prayer is a space where we surrender our desires, our fears, and our limits — and let God be God. Even if we do not get what we ask for, we remain children who trust their Father.

Just as a child may not understand why their parent says “no,” we too must trust that God knows what is best. The purpose of prayer is not to bend God to our will, but to bring our will into alignment with His love.

5. The Finger of the Father

What is prayer, then?

It is when I sit before God and say, “This is me. This is what I can and cannot do. You see me. I see You. I bring myself to You.”

And when I raise my brokenness, my longing, my sighs — it is like a child lifting their hand, reaching for the Father’s finger.

Whether that finger points upward or downward, prayer is my voice reaching out to touch it. That is prayer — the voice that touches the Father’s finger.

6. Takeaways from Today’s Readings

Prayer is a relationship, not a transaction. It begins with recognizing God as Father and ourselves as His beloved children. Prayer is not magic. It does not guarantee results but draws us into a space of trust and openness. “Ask, seek, knock.” These are invitations to persistent, bold, trusting prayer. Prayer demands perseverance. Abraham didn’t stop pleading. Jesus praised persistence. Keep praying, even when the door seems closed. God is a generous Father. He gives not just things, but His very Spirit to those who ask with faith.

Let us never forget: when human relationships fail us, when we feel helpless, when we reach the edge of our limits — prayer begins. It is not about fancy words. It is not about noise or silence. It is simply about being real before God. Let your voice rise today. Let it reach and touch the Father’s finger.

Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi

Archdiocese of Madurai

Missionary of Mercy