The Persistent Friend

BEADS OF JOY 10-06-16

“The Persistent Friend”

©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

My Friends,

Today’s Gospel: Luke 11:5-13 (The Persistent Friend)
“And he said to them, "Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves; for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him'; and he will answer from within, `Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything'? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his importunity he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, Ask, and it will be given you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For every one who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!"

Reflection:
This is a hard teaching, unless of cause you are a very generous person. And I mean seriously very generous and patient one to. In today’s gospel this friend came and woke up his neighbor and friend up at midnight and asked him for three loaves of bread. WOW!! You have got to be really good friends with someone to be banging on their door at midnight to ask for 3 loaves of bread. If this friend is your friend, do you fulfill his request or do you tell him to go away? Think for a second before you answer. In-fact, think about what St Augustine of Hippo reminds us, “God, who does not sleep and who awakens us from sleep that we may ask, gives much more graciously.” The Lord is always ready to give, never ever holding back on us.

Open your hearts and your lives my dear sisters and brothers. Don’t ever close your doors on each other, don’t ignore one another when each other is in need. The real rule of hospitality and generosity is to be ready to give what others need when you are able to do so. God alone will judge their motives. Obviously common sense and direction by other sisters and brothers who already have helped that person or family is a great start. We are all family in the Family of God. Let us always unite and be there for one another. Shutting the door and saying no is not the Godly way of treating a fellow human being in any situation. Step to the plate, find out how you can help, or at least find out how you can help direct them to the proper help they may need if you can’t personally help them. Sometimes those in need simply need; others who simply care. That is all.

When a person or a family is struggling they sometimes feel lowly and terrible. It’s a very difficult feeling to fully put into words. It’s more complicated than one simple word or phrase. It’s worse than shame. We have been there. For the longest time we didn’t even have anyone come close to our side and really comfort us on a personal level. We were like poison for some reason. I understand it better now; seeing things hinge sight brings everything into perspective. We were needy and always in need of something (ok everything); though many wanted to help, most didn’t and most didn’t know how, so they avoided us to avoid the topic of discomfort that they felt! But little did they realize how uncomfortable we felt and the pain that we were suffering. Please everyone when you know someone who is in need, help them, quietly, anonymously, secretly, just help them. Please!! People, families who are under tremendous stress, cry many tears, pray many prayers, believe me when I say all this. We still have our challenges, but we have angels now in our lives. God is good. Be someone’s angel. Be someone’s answered prayer. Help someone stop crying so much. We all must do our part. See you tomorrow.

LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!

Your brother in Christ Jesus 
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS

**(NEW DAILY FEATURE)

Today is Thursday: We pray the Luminous Mysteries:

The Luminous Mysteries

1. The Baptism of Jesus (Matt 3:13-17)
2. Wedding Feast of Cana (John 2:1-12)
3. Proclamation of the Kingdom of God (Mark 1:15)
4. The Transfiguration (Mark 9:2-13)
5. Institution of the Holy Eucharist (Matt 26:17-30)


Glory and Honor and Praise -Lord Jesus Christ!!

Rosary Man Jim's Luminous Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-luminous-mysteries.html