
09/10/2025
Daily Catholic Lectio
Thu, 9 Oct ‘25
Twenty-Seventh Week in Ordinary Time, Thursday
Malachi 3:13–4:2. Luke 11:5–13
Perseverance – Purpose – Compassion
In today’s Gospel, Jesus continues His teaching on prayer — not by giving formulas, but by shaping our attitude. He invites us to see prayer as a journey of perseverance, purpose, and trust in the Father’s compassion.
Jesus tells a very human story. A man receives an unexpected guest at midnight. He runs to his friend’s house and knocks on the door, asking for bread. The friend, already asleep, refuses to get up. But because the knocking continues, he finally rises and gives him what he needs — not out of friendship, but to stop the disturbance.
This simple image captures much of our spiritual life. Often, we are like both characters in the story. Sometimes, we are the one who knocks — desperate, persistent, and needy. At other times, we are the one behind the door — reluctant to respond, protecting our comfort, unwilling to be disturbed. Jesus reminds us that the love of God is nothing like the sleepy friend’s love. If even a human being, half-asleep and unwilling, can finally open the door, how much more readily will God, our compassionate Father, respond to those who call upon Him!
But Jesus’ parable also teaches us the first key virtue of prayer: perseverance. Prayer is not magic. It is a relationship that takes time to grow. When answers do not come immediately, we are tempted to give up or to think that God is silent. Yet, as Jesus says, “Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened.” These three verbs — ask, search, knock — suggest a movement of growing intensity. To ask is to begin; to seek is to engage the heart; to knock is to act with determination. Prayer that perseveres becomes an act of faith — not in getting what we want, but in trusting the One who listens.
The second lesson Jesus gives us is purpose. We must know what we are asking for and why. Many times, our prayer is filled with random wishes. We pray for success, comfort, or safety without knowing how these fit into God’s plan. Jesus invites us to pray with direction: to ask for what truly nourishes our soul — our daily bread, forgiveness, and above all, the Holy Spirit. If our goal in prayer is to draw closer to God, then every “no” or “wait” we receive becomes a hidden “yes” to something deeper.
When we pray with clarity of purpose, we are like someone who knocks on the right door — not searching in the wrong places for what only God can give. Many people, like Jonah in today’s first reading, knock on the wrong door. Jonah runs away from God’s mission because he cannot understand God’s compassion. He is angry that God forgives the people of Nineveh. He wants justice for their sins, not mercy for their repentance. Through the image of the small plant that grows and withers, God gently teaches Jonah that His compassion is larger than human anger. “Should I not pity Nineveh?” asks the Lord.
And that leads us to the third key theme: compassion. Jesus compares the love of God with the love of a parent. “If your child asks for a fish, will you give a snake? If he asks for an egg, will you give a scorpion?” Even we, who are limited and imperfect, know how to give what is good. How much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask! The goal of all prayer is not merely to get things from God but to receive God Himself — His Spirit, His presence, His compassion.
God’s compassion is not weak pity. It is the strength that forgives, the patience that waits, the mercy that never gives up. The Father does not always remove our trials, but He gives us the grace to walk through them. When we persevere in prayer, we slowly begin to see life through His eyes. Our narrow requests expand into a wider compassion for others. We begin to pray not only for our needs but for the needs of the world.
The prophet Malachi in the first reading gives us a beautiful image of this transformation: “For you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.” For those who persevere in faith, the dawn always comes. The night of waiting gives birth to the morning of healing.
Prayer, therefore, is not about convincing God; it is about converting us. It purifies our desires, sharpens our purpose, and softens our hearts. It keeps us knocking until our will aligns with His.
Let us remember today: Perseverance keeps us praying when we are tired. Purpose keeps us focused on what truly matters. Compassion keeps our hearts open to others as God’s heart is open to us.
When we live this kind of prayer, every moment — whether of asking, seeking, or knocking — becomes a sacred encounter with the living God.
So, keep praying, keep knocking, keep trusting — for the One who loves you never sleeps.
And when He opens the door, you will realize He was waiting for you all along.
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy