Day 9: “Ask, Seek, Knock”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Matthew 7:7-12
“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, it will be opened. Which one of you would hand his son a stone when he asks for a loaf of bread, or a snake when he asks for a fish? If you, then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him!”

Reflection:

In today’s Gospel, Jesus reassures us of the generosity and goodness of God. “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” These words invite us to approach God with trust and persistence, knowing that He desires to pour out His blessings upon us.

Yet, so often, we hesitate to ask. Perhaps we feel unworthy, or we fear that our prayers won’t be answered. We may struggle with doubt, wondering if God truly hears us. But Jesus reminds us that God is a loving Father who gives good gifts to His children. If even human parents know how to care for their children, how much more will God care for us?

Still, we must recognize that prayer is not about controlling God or demanding what we want. Sometimes the answer is no. And when the answer is no—or when it seems like no answer is coming at all—it can be difficult to trust. Yet, even in the silence, God is at work. Abba Isaac the Theban teaches:

“If you see that your prayers are not being answered, do not give up. God is drawing you closer through your perseverance” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Isaac the Theban 1)

The waiting itself forms us, teaching us trust, humility, and surrender. Sometimes, God withholds what we ask for in order to give us something greater—something we do not yet recognize as His perfect gift. But in order to hear that deeper response, we must make space for silence, for listening. We must be willing not just to ask, but to receive whatever God desires to give.

The Desert Fathers also teach us about the persistence of prayer. Abba Agathon said:

“Prayer is warfare to the last breath.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Agathon 9)

Prayer requires perseverance, especially when answers do not come immediately. It is an act of faith to keep asking, seeking, and knocking, even when the way forward seems unclear. True prayer is not transactional—it is relational. It is the opening of our hearts to God, allowing Him to shape our desires and bring us into deeper communion with Him.

St. Thérèse of Lisieux, in her Story of a Soul, reflects on this trust:

“I know that the Lord is more tender than any mother, and I fear nothing from Him.”

Her words remind us that we approach a God who is not only powerful but also tender and compassionate. Lent is a time to deepen this trust, to bring our needs and desires to God with open hearts, and to believe that He will respond in His perfect time and way.

As we reflect today, let us ask: Are we approaching God with trust and confidence in His love? How can we be more persistent in prayer, even when answers seem delayed? And how can we respond to others with the same generosity that we seek from God?

Reflection Questions:

1. What are the deepest desires of your heart that you need to bring to God in trust?
2. How can you grow in persistence and patience in prayer, trusting in God’s timing?
3. How can you imitate God’s generosity in responding to the needs of those around you?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, You invite us to ask, seek, and knock, promising that You will respond to our prayers. Help us to approach You with confidence and trust, knowing that You are a loving Father who desires only good for Your children. Teach us to persevere in prayer, even when the answers seem far away, and to trust in Your perfect will. May we also reflect Your generosity by responding to the needs of others with love and compassion.

Amen.

Day 8: “Repentance and Mercy”

Scripture Reading (Jerusalem Bible):

Luke 11:29-32
“When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to speak: ‘This is a wicked generation; it is asking for a sign. The only sign it will be given is the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so will the Son of Man be to this generation. On Judgement Day the men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation and condemn it, because when Jonah preached they repented, and there is something greater than Jonah here.’”

Reflection:

The story of Jonah and Nineveh is a powerful reminder of God’s mercy. Even though Nineveh was a city steeped in sin, the people responded to Jonah’s message with fasting, repentance, and prayer. Their contrite hearts moved God to withhold judgment, revealing His deep desire to forgive and restore.

In today’s Gospel, Jesus challenges us to reflect on our own need for repentance. He tells the crowd that they will be given the “sign of Jonah”—a call to repentance through the presence of Christ Himself. But unlike the people of Nineveh, many in Jesus’ time failed to recognize the urgency of the call. They were stubborn, unwilling to look honestly at their own hearts, and resistant to change.

This is not so different from us. Repentance is difficult because it requires humility—it forces us to acknowledge our sins, our weaknesses, and the ways we have turned from God. But in many cases, we do not even realize our need for repentance. We have lost a sense of virtue, replacing it with moral compromise. We live in a world where sin is normalized, and in our comfort, we grow blind to the ways we are being called to conversion. We are often like the crowd, demanding a sign from God while failing to recognize that He is already calling us to transformation.

The Desert Fathers remind us that repentance is not a one-time act but a way of life. Abba Sisoes said:

“Seek repentance with all your soul, for the time is drawing near.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Alphabetical Collection, Sisoes 43)

Repentance is about more than feeling sorry for our sins; it is about reorienting our lives toward God. It is a continual turning of our hearts to Him in humility and trust. This daily practice is not meant to weigh us down with guilt but to free us, to bring us closer to God’s transforming love.

St. John Vianney, the patron saint of priests, echoes this call:

“The Lord is more eager to forgive us than we are to ask for His mercy.”

We are reminded that God does not desire our perfection but our humility and trust in His love. Just as He forgave Nineveh, He longs to extend His mercy to us. But we must take the first step—acknowledging our sins and allowing His grace to transform our hearts.

Repentance is not simply about turning away from sin, but turning toward Christ. When we honestly examine our hearts, we may find areas where we resist change out of fear or complacency. Yet God calls us to trust in His mercy, knowing that true healing begins when we surrender. Abba Poemen said:

“The nature of water is soft, that of stone is hard; but if a bottle is hung above the stone, dropping water on it, it wears it away. So it is with the word of God: it is soft, and our hearts are hard, but if one hears the word of God often, it will break open the heart’s hardness in repentance.” (Apophthegmata Patrum, Poemen 181)

This wisdom reminds us that even the hardest of hearts can be softened when we allow God’s Word and His mercy to penetrate us. We must make space for His voice, listen attentively, and allow Him to work in us, breaking away the stubbornness that holds us back.

Take a moment in prayer to invite God into the places of your heart that need healing. What sins or habits is He gently asking you to let go of? What areas of your life are in need of His mercy? Sit in silence and allow His love to wash over you. Let His mercy restore and renew you, just as He did for the people of Nineveh.

Reflection Questions:

1. What sins or habits is God inviting us to repent of this Lent?
2. How can we trust more deeply in God’s mercy and forgiveness?
3. In what ways can our repentance lead others to encounter God’s love?

Closing Prayer:

Lord, You are slow to anger and rich in mercy. Like the people of Nineveh, we come before You in humility, asking for Your forgiveness and grace. Help us to turn away from sin and to reorient our lives toward You. Teach us to trust in the depths of Your love, and may our repentance inspire others to seek Your mercy. Transform our hearts, O Lord, so that we may live as signs of Your compassion and grace in the world.

Amen.