*REFLECTION FOR THURSDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN* *ORDINARY TIME YEAR II* 

"God loves each of us as if there were only one of us"- *St* . *Augustine* . For this reason, God wants a relationship with each of us, not as a supplier of our needs but as one who walks, enjoys and suffers with us in every condition and step in life. 

   In the gospel today (Luke 11: 5-13), Jesus continues to instruct His disciples on approach to prayers. Our persistent lifting up of our petitions to God draws us closer to God and opens our understanding of God's actions as response to our prayers. We need to ask with expectant faith and confident trust, seek for God's guidance and help in time of need, and persistently knock at God's door of mercy and blessings. Is this how I approach God in prayer? 

   In the first reading (Gal 3: 1-5), St. Paul vehemently chides the Galatians for derailing from the root of their faith in Christ, they forgot the gift of the Holy Spirit through which they are empowered. "Are you so stupid? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now ending in the flesh?" We can only relate truly with God when we are open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit. 

   Dear friends, "God, who does not sleep and who awakens us from sleep so that we may ask, gives graciously"- *St* . *Augustine* . When we remain faithful to God, God gives us even more than we may ask. God freely gives us His Holy Spirit so that we can share in God's divine life, a life of abundant joy and fulfilment. 

   I pray as we journey in life today, we will be open to the Holy Spirit Who "helps us in our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we ought" (Rm. 8: 26). May we never arrogate to ourselves favours that God has given, rather, in total submission, may we relate with God in confident trust in God's love and care for us. God is ever faithful in fulfilling the promises He made (Luke 1: 69-75). May our mouth be filled with prayer of praise like Zechariah for God's favours in our lives. "Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people" (Luke 1: 68). Have a praise-full day!

 *@Fr Francis Onwunali*