July 27, 2025 Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Genesis 18:20–32; Colossians 2:12–14; Luke 11:1–13
How does a believer communicate with God? Prayer whether vocal or silent is our most powerful means of communication with the Divine. It takes many forms: praise, thanksgiving, confession, intercession, and personal petitions. Whether for ourselves or others, prayer becomes the bridge between the human and the divine.
In today’s first reading, Abraham engages in deep intercessory prayer not just for his nephew Lot, but for entire cities. He appeals to God’s justice, but even more to His mercy. In one of Scripture’s most touching dialogues, Abraham “bargains” with God, lowering the number of righteous needed to save Sodom and Gomorrah. This powerful moment reminds us that God listens and welcomes our persistence. The prayer of one faithful servant can influence divine action.
The Letter to the Colossians reaffirms that through baptism, we have died and risen with Christ. Our sins are forgiven; the burdens of the old law have been nailed to the Cross. Paul addresses a mystical Judaic sect promoting legalism, reminding believers that true salvation comes not from rituals, but from faith in Christ’s redemptive power.
Today’s Gospel from Luke continues the theme of persistence in faith through prayer. Often called the Gospel of Prayer, Luke’s account begins and ends in the temple framed by prayer. The disciples see Jesus praying and ask, “Lord, teach us to pray.” He responds with the Lord’s Prayer a model of reverence, humility, and trust. To emphasize the need for persistence, Jesus tells a parable: a man knocks at midnight seeking bread. The friend eventually relents not out of friendship, but because of persistence. Jesus assures us, “Ask and it will be given… seek and you will find… knock and the door will be opened.” If earthly parents care for their children, how much more will our Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Prayer is not just about asking it’s about trust, relationship, and communion with God.
Call to Action: Prayer is not a last resort it is the lifeline of our faith. Friendship dies without communication, and so does our relationship with God. Let us not wait for desperate moments to turn to Him. Begin again today with sincerity, boldness, and trust. Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking for the Father is waiting to respond.
Radio Veritas Asia (RVA), a media platform of the Catholic Church, aims to share Christ. RVA started in 1969 as a continental Catholic radio station to serve Asian countries in their respective local language, thus earning the tag “the Voice of Asian Christianity.” Responding to the emerging context, RVA embraced media platforms to connect with the global Asian audience via its 21 language websites and various social media platforms.
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