In Matthew’s Gospel (7:7-8), Jesus reminds: “Ask and it will be given to you; 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.”
Years ago, when my wife was expecting our fourth child, she and I were active in our local crisis pregnancy center. The largest fundraiser conducted by the clinic was a baby bottle campaign. Perhaps you’re familiar with them. If not, it goes like this: (1) Distribute as many baby bottles as you can; (2) Ask those who take them to fill them with money; and (3) Bring them back.
Simple and easy fundraising, you say? Especially when our 4-year-old daughter didn’t quite understand the concept and, unbeknownst to my wife, took the bottles throughout our neighborhood with this message:
My mom is having a baby. Can you give some money?
As our determined daughter knocked on doors and asked for money, I can tell you that she arrived home with baby bottles filled to the rim—with cash! But she also left my pregnant wife with the task of convincing the neighbors that it wasn’t for us!!!
ASKING, SEEKING, and KNOCKING
Regarding asking, seeking, and knocking, the saints of the Church provide us with a roadmap. Throughout his life, it is said that the Capuchin friar, Blessed Solanus Casey, often recited a poem with these words…
Life is to live, and life is to give, and talents are to use for good if you choose. Do not pray for easy lives; pray to be strong. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers. Pray for powers equal to your tasks, then the doing of your work shall be no miracle, but you shall be a miracle. Every day you shall wonder at yourself, at the richness of life, which has come to you by the grace of God.
Years ago, a priest told me of a week that had all but consumed his sanity. For each day, a litany of problems unrolled before his eyes. On Monday, it was a roof that needed to be replaced. On Tuesday, the parish musician resigned. On Wednesday, there was an issue in the school. And on Thursday, a slew of other problems made their way to his desk. On Friday morning, after Mass, he walked to the rectory for coffee and was grateful that no further problems had arisen.
But, in short order, there was a knock on the rectory door.
It was a soft knock. When he opened the door, a mother, father, and teenage daughter were standing at the doorstep. After inviting them inside, the priest listened as the parents explained that they had found him through the diocesan website. Excitedly, they noted that he was the priest who had, many years before, baptized their infant daughter.
The mother then explained that from the time she was able, her daughter had always included him in her evening prayers. When it was the daughter’s turn to speak, she smiled and thanked him for baptizing her. But then, she softly reminded him that her prayers for him were always two-fold: for his happiness and that God would always keep him safe.
And as they left, the priest, with a lump in his throat, not only thanked them, but thanked God, too.
Regarding Jesus’ words encouraging us to ask, seek, and knock, perhaps the heart of His point is that we know that God listens to His people, pays attention to us, and is ready to give us good gifts.
What a remarkable truth! That the God of all creation cares so deeply about His children that He hears us when we pray.
But there is something even greater our God does for us: He answers.
In His time.
