The Gift of Persistence

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For 28 July 2019, 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time, based on Luke 11:1–13

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins,
for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us.
And do not bring us to the time of trial.”

  And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.’ And he answers from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.’ I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs.

  “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”


Scripture passage from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition, copyright 1989, 1993, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

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About Mrs. Maria Curtis, OP

Maria is a life professed lay Dominican who has retired from being a music educator for 39 years and married for 40 years to husband Bob, also a life professed Dominican. We both life professed in 1998. We have 3 children and 5 grandchildren. Jessica is married to Jim. She is a elementary teacher and works wonderfully with her students who mostly come from low incomes and Spanish -speaking homes. Son Rob is married to Carrie RN. Rob is Director of Family Ministry at Corpus Christi Catholic Church in Az. . Jenny is a life professed Lay Dominican , graduated with her BA in English and is working part time as library asst. She serves in music ministry for our Dominican chapters. I have served in music ministry, as a lector at ASU Newman Center and help facilitate Dominican Lay formation in our chapter.