"And I tell you, ask and you will receive."

“Teach us how to pray,” the disciples asked Jesus in the Gospel for Sunday, July 28, 2013. This is the longing of our souls. We want to pray. We want to be with God.

Sunday Readings' Discussion Questions
Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, July 28, 2013 (17C)
From the Center for Liturgy at Saint Louis University

Sunday Readings 
Lecturas y Comentarios 
Prayer of the Hours
Burning Question: Should we hold hands during the "Our Father?"

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Questions on Sunday's Readings for use by discussion groups,
prayer groups, or for individual prayer.
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First Reading
Book of Genesis, Chapter 18, Verses 20-32

1. Abraham keeps bargaining with God. What do you learn about God in this story? How does God respond to Abraham’s persistence? What does this tell you about God’s justice and mercy?

2. What do you learn about Abraham in the story? What behavior of his would you like to imitate? What is each one, God and Abraham, willing to do because of their covenant?

Responsorial Psalms
Psalm 138: 1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8

1. Our psalmist affirms that God answers our needs, "Lord, on the day I called for help, you answered me." Give an example of how your prayers have been answered at a critical time in your life.

2. The Psalm reminds us that although the Lord is exalted, He sees the lowly. What is it that gives you confidence that the Lord will not forsake you, even though He is exalted and you are among the lowly ones.

Second Reading
Letter of St. Paul to the Colossians, Chapter 2, Verses 12-14

1. Christ took us as partners when he “obliterated the bond against us.” He tore down the wall so God could establish a new covenant with us. What does this covenant mean to you? Does it affect your prayers when you are asking God for something?

2. Jesus nailed all that separates us from God to the cross. What does that mean to you?

Gospel
According to Luke, Chapter 11, Verses 1-13

1. Do you get the impression that you will really have to do some fast talking or that God is just waiting for you to ask so he can give you what you need? Jesus refers to the Father giving the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit know about your needs?

2. How are God and the sleeping father in the parable similar? How are they different? Do you have confidence that God will hear you when you knock on his door? What do the readings this week do for your confidence?

Online Sunday Bible Study Group
Please share your reflections on the above Sunday Readings with other ParishWorld readers. May we be blessed by God's words as reflected in your thoughts and experience-sharing.

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