Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Today the Church celebrates the Sixteenth 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 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 this day and on these readings:

Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Sundays Salesian: Seventeenth Sunday of Ordinary Time (July 28, 2013)

Msgr. Charles Pope: Three Teachings from the Lord on Prayer – A Homily on the Gospel of the 17th Sunday of the Year (27 JUL 13)

The Deacon’s Bench: Homily for July 28, 2013: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (27 JUL 13)

Word on Fire: Sermon 654: Kingdom Prayer: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

The Sacred Page: Bargaining With God: The 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time (26 JUL 13)

Dr. Scott Hahn: Asked and Answered (July 28th 2013 - 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time)

The Catholic World Report Blog: The Godless Confusion and the God of Justice (27 JUL 13)

A Concord Pastor Comments: Knock, knock, knockin’ on heaven’s door... (28 JUL 13)

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