Fr. Gabriel UDOH

The Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Cycle C, invites us into a profound exploration of prayer, persistence, and divine mercy. This significant day in the liturgical calendar centers on Jesus teaching his disciples to pray through what we now know as the Lord’s Prayer.

The readings weave together themes of intercession, baptismal identity, and God’s generous response to our petitions. As we journey through these sacred texts, we discover not only the mechanics of prayer but its transformative power in our relationship with God and one another.

The Scripture selections for this Sunday create a beautiful tapestry of divine-human dialogue. From Abraham’s bold negotiation with God in Genesis to Paul’s profound theology of baptism in Colossians, and finally to Luke’s account of Jesus teaching His disciples to pray, we witness the evolution of prayer across salvation history. These readings challenge us to examine our own prayer life while offering practical wisdom for deepening our conversation with God.

In this remarkable passage, we witness Abraham engaged in a bold negotiation with God over the fate of Sodom. Abraham’s intercession demonstrates both his deep reverence for God and his compassionate concern for others. Beginning with the question, “Will you sweep away the innocent with the guilty?” Abraham gradually reduces the number of righteous people needed to spare the city from fifty to ten.

In the first reading, we see; several key aspects of intercessory prayer: persistence, humility (“I am but dust and ashes”), and confidence in God’s mercy. Abraham approaches God not as a distant deity but as one with whom he can reason and plead. This sets the foundation for understanding the relationship between human petition and divine response that Jesus will later address in the Gospel.                                

In the second reading, Paul’s letter to the Colossians provides a profound theological reflection on baptism as participation in Christ’s death and resurrection. He describes baptism as “a circumcision made without hands” that incorporates believers into Christ’s paschal mystery. Through this sacrament, our sins are forgiven as Christ “obliterates the bond against us.”

Furthermore, this reading connects to the theme of prayer by reminding us of our fundamental identity in Christ. Prayer flows from this baptismal identity—we pray as those who have died and risen with Christ. Paul’s imagery of having our “bond of debt” nailed to the cross emphasizes God’s generous response to our deepest need for forgiveness, which exceeds even what we might ask for in prayer.

In the gospel reading, Jesus' teaching on the Lord’s Prayer provides the centerpiece of this Sunday’s liturgy. When the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray, he offers both a model prayer and teachings about God’s generous response to our petitions. Luke’s version of the Lord’s Prayer is more concise than Matthew’s but contains the essential elements: reverence for God’s name, petition for the kingdom, request for daily needs, forgiveness, and protection from trial.

Jesus follows this prayer with two parables emphasizing persistence and God’s generosity. The friend at midnight illustrates that persistence in prayer reflects our trust in God’s goodness. The father giving good gifts to his children reveals that God gives not just what we ask for but what we truly need—ultimately, the Holy Spirit.                                  

IN THE Nutshell, let us note the following: The Lord’s Prayer provides a comprehensive model for our own prayer life. One practical way to apply this is through the ACTS model of prayer, which aligns with the elements Jesus included:

ACTS Prayer Framework

Adoration: “Hallowed be your name” – Begin by praising God for who God is, not just what God does for us.

Contrition: “Forgive us our sins” – Acknowledge areas where we have fallen short and seek forgiveness.

Thanksgiving: Express gratitude for God’s provision (“Give us each day our daily bread”).

Supplication: “Lead us not into temptation” – Present our needs and the needs of others to God.     

Persistence in Prayer

Jesus’ parable of the friend at midnight teaches us about persistence in prayer. This doesn’t mean God is reluctant to respond but rather that persistence demonstrates our trust and commitment. Consider these practical applications:      Intercessory Prayer

Abraham’s intercession for Sodom provides a powerful model for praying on behalf of others. Intercessory prayer acknowledges both human solidarity and divine mercy. May the Lord bless his words in our heart.