Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The assigned readings are Genesis 18:20-32, Colossians 2:12-14, and Luke 11:1-13. The Responsorial Psalm is from Psalm 138 (Psalm 138:1-3, 6-8).

For one version of the Responsorial Psalm set to music, please visit:

YouTube: Responsorial Psalm - Psalm 138 On the day I called for help You answered me O Lord

The Gospel reading is as follows:

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just 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 in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, 'Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,' and he says in reply from within, 'Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.' I tell you, if he does not get up to give the visitor the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.

"And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?"

Reflections on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Salesian Sunday Reflections: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 28, 2019)

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (July 28, 2019)

Community in Mission: Three Teachings from the Lord on Prayer (27 JUL 19)

Crossroads Initiative: Ask and You Shall Receive - the Widow & the Unjust Judge

The Sacred Page: Haggling With God: The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (24 JUL 19)

The Sacred Page: Jesus' Teaching on Prayer (The Mass Readings Explained) (22 JUL 19)

St. Paul Center: Asked and Answered: Scott Hahn Reflects on the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Word on Fire: Abba Father, Bring us Jesus (Cycle C * Ordinary Time * Week 17)

National Catholic Register: Sunday Guide: Divine Justice and Bold Prayer (24 JUL 19)

Spirituality of the Readings: Go Ahead, Ask Again (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

In Exile: Prayer with an Infallible Guarantee (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Let the Scriptures Speak: Ask and You Shall Receive (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

The Word Engaged: Praying and Pleading (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Historical Cultural Context: Mediterranean and American Prayer (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)

Thoughts from the Early Church: Commentary by Venerable Bede (17th Sunday of Ordinary Time C)