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Thursday, October 7, 2004

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Our Lady of the Rosary


Galatians 3:1-5
Luke 1:69-75
Luke 11:5-13

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don't doubt dad

"If you, with all your sins, know how to give your children good things, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him." —Luke 11:13

I am writing this teaching sitting next to my nine-year-old son, who is lying in a dentist's chair getting a filling in his tooth. I am reading Jesus' words about praying to His Father: "What father among you will give his son a snake if he asks for a fish, or hand him a scorpion if he asks for an egg?" (Lk 11:11-12)

My son is bravely enduring the novocaine shots and drilling, though it is hardly an enjoyable time for him. Yet, as a father, I know that in bringing my son to this appointment, I am giving him "good things." I know the long-term health he gains will outweigh his temporary discomfort now.

Similarly, our heavenly Father is always interested in our welfare, not our harm (see Jer 29:11). We must never allow present circumstances or disappointments to prevent us from praying to our Father with confidence. God will always answer our prayers as we requested — or He will give us something even better than we ask for (see yesterday's teaching). Hence, there is "the necessity of praying always and not losing heart" (Lk 18:1).

My son is finished now, and is grinning at his numb, swollen cheeks in the mirror. He trusted his daddy not to lead him into a situation that would be harmful to him. May we likewise have full trust and confidence in our "Abba" (Gal 4:6).

Prayer:  Abba, give us the Holy Spirit (Lk 11:13).

Promise:  "Ask and you shall receive; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you." —Lk 11:9

Praise:  Chuck and Clare, parents of five children, for years have prayed a decade of the rosary daily for each child.

Reference:  (This teaching was submitted by a member of our editorial team.) (For a related teaching, order our tape Daily Prayers on audio AV 62-3 or video V-62.)

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, March 30, 2004


Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 1, 2004