Readings: Gen 18:20-32; Ps 138:1-8; Luke 11:1-13

We can each get so caught up in our achievements, our ability – foolishly thinking we have control over our lives. Then something will occur to open our eyes, such as grief. We each need God. If we are lucky we will remain ‘awake’ after such an experience, but there are so many forces, within and without, that want us to return to the illusion.

This week’s readings each take up this theme. The first reading sees Abraham pleading with God on behalf of the people of Sodom. He slowly bargains God down such that if God finds 10 innocent people in Sodom, the city will be spared. We know what happened. A city living in the illusion of control.

The responsorial psalm emphasises that God answers those that call for help – those whose eyes have been opened.

After we acknowledge our need of God, what then? The Gospel has Jesus teach his disciples how to pray – through the Our Father. This makes us each sisters and brothers. Jesus goes on to teach them that in their dealings with others they can get what they want through persistence. But God loves each of us unconditionally. So if we want help from God, thus acknowledging our lack of control: ‘ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you’.