Knock, and the door will open for you.
A Gospel Enquiry
Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Suppose one of you went to your friend’s house at midnight and said to him, ‘Friend, loan me three loaves of bread. A friend of mine has come into town to visit me, but I have nothing for him to eat.’ Your friend inside the house answers, ‘Don’t bother me! The door is already locked, and my children and I are in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, if friendship is not enough to make him get up to give you the bread, your boldness will make him get up and give you whatever you need. So I tell you, ask, and God will give to you. Search, and you will find. Knock, and the door will open for you. Yes, everyone who asks will receive. The one who searches will find. And everyone who knocks will have the door opened. If your children ask for a fish, which of you would give them a snake instead? Or, if your children ask for an egg, would you give them a scorpion? Even though you are bad, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more your heavenly Father will give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:5-13)
SEE
What is Jesus doing in this Gospel reading? Read the whole chapter in Luke’s Gospel to work out the relationship between what he is doing here and what happens towards the end of the chapter.
Why does Jesus give this teaching to his disciples? What might they have been saying and/or doing that would lead him to give them this teaching?
What does he promise to those who follow his teaching?
JUDGE
What do you think about this situation in the Gospel? How does Jesus’ message reflect your own life? When was the last time you asked God for help? What happened? How did this affect your relationship with God?
What does your faith tell you about what Jesus promises to those who follow him? What part does your faith play in how you view the world?
What does Jesus’ teaching here reveal about the ideal way of living in our world?
ACT
What needs to change in the world you know so that people think, say and do as Jesus teaches in this Gospel?
What simple action can you take over the next week that will contribute to bringing about this change?
Who can you involve in this action and how will you go about involving them?
Author: Pat Branson
Image source: https://elseinbetween.tumblr.com/post/119484089376/ask-and-youll-get-seek-and-youll-find-knock