The righteous serve God with a sincere heart!

October 09, 2025 Thursday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Daily Readings: Malachi 3:13-20b; Luke 11:5-13

The Hebrew Minor Prophet Malachi is the twelfth on the list. His primary mission was to deliver God’s message to His people. In today’s text, God identifies two types of people among His chosen ones. The Lord complains about His people, who speak against Him yet deny it outright. They claim that serving God is useless and believe they can speak against Him without consequence. On the other hand, some revere the Lord. God takes note of them and listens to what they say to one another. Their names are written in the book of remembrance. The Lord declares that the people of Israel are His own, His special possession. He will spare them as parents spare their children who serve them. Thus, the Lord makes a clear distinction between the righteous, those who serve Him, and the wicked, those who do not.

Today’s Gospel reading offers an apt commentary on the Prayer of Jesus. The Master tells the parable of three friends. Friend A received Friend B at an unexpected hour but has nothing to offer him. So, A turns to another friend, C, for help. At first, C’s reply was disappointing. Yet, because of A’s persistence, not merely because of friendship, C eventually gets up and gives him everything he needs. Jesus uses this to teach us the value of perseverance in prayer. We should never hesitate to ask, seek, and knock. If even a human father, though flawed, can still do good for his children, how much more will the heavenly Father do for those who seek Him with a sincere heart? God will never disappoint anyone who prays earnestly and persists in faith. This story urges believers never to grow weary of loving and trusting God.

Call to Action: Prayer is not a magic wand. If we do not receive what we ask for immediately, we should not be discouraged. God knows the best time. We must persevere!