In today's Gospel, we are strengthened for our Lord tells us what we are to expect for
in prayer that our Heavenly Father, who knows certainly much more than the fathers of this
world, will give us the good things that we ask for. But that often brings up a very interesting
question that is often asked when people seek advice as to their prayer life, and the fact
that many of their good prayers seem to go unanswered. That is, the thing they ask for
in and of itself appears to be a good, and yet they do not receive the good. The answer is very
simple, but yet it takes a bit of humility for us to accept it. Often those prayers are not
answered because the thing is not really for the good of the soul, and God the Father, foreseeing
that, does not give us directly often the things we ask for, but that does not mean that the prayer
is not pleasing to Him. As long as we are striving to stay in the state of grace and to do the will
of God, those prayers are accepted, and graces that we do need are communicated to us. And so
often if we get discouraged because it doesn't seem our prayers are being answered, let us always
remember that the Father doesn't necessarily give us the things we ask for, because He gives us
something better, that which we truly need in order to persevere in the Christian life and
ultimately to be with our Father in heaven for all eternity. And so, especially in this day and
age when so much prayer really seems to be rooted in a this-worldly thinking, we often, as it were,
say good things in prayer, ask for good things in prayer, but they really indicate
a real lack of a supernatural understanding and knowledge of this world. And so, let us always
remember that all the things in this world are passing away, but let us most especially remember
often when we get discouraged because loved ones seem to be taken from us, let us always remember
that for the human person, heaven is the goal and the destiny, and this world is merely a sojourn,
this world is merely a pilgrimage, and so we must strive to help each other,
through the pilgrimages of this world, in order that we are truly all united
together for all eternity in heaven. And so, let us continue to beseech God our Father with our
prayers, asking for all the good things that our soul needs in the souls of all the world,
so that they may receive the graces necessary for conversion,
for perseverance, and ultimately for union with God in heaven.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Amen.