Gospel Commentary: Ask!

By Fr. John Riley
HERALD Columnist
(From the Issue of 7/26/01)

Acronymns are words formed by the first letters of a series of related words (like NASA — National Aeronautics and Space Administration, or SNAFU — Situation Normal, All Fouled Up). This week’s Gospel acronym (courtesy of a translation from Greek to English) is ASK — Ask, Seek, Knock.

Why? Jesus tells us quite plainly that, "Your Father in heaven knows what you need before you ask Him" (Mt 6:8). Is this a game of some sort? Why ask if He already knows? Does God get some sort of cosmic thrill out of our approaching Him — trembling with hat in hand, before His almighty throne? Not quite.

In our prayer of supplication we do not inform or remind our Father of something He doesn’t know or remember. Our prayer accomplishes far more. First, we are humbled a bit as we are reminded that we’re not totally in control, masters of our own destiny. It is not we, (but He), Who Is God.

Secondly, we are engaged in a dialogue (remember, prayer is a dialogue, not a soliloquy) which may begin in a less exalted manner ("Hey, God — I need something,") and progress to a more profound, intimate and loving experience of "Him Who we know loves us."

One acronym which has been used in the past to teach many of us the four key components of healthy and balanced prayer is ACTS — Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving and Supplication. Although these constituent elements of prayer are correctly listed here, we might consider changing their order a bit to follow a more logical sequence. This may prove especially useful when we seek to spend a significant period of time in prayer (like a holy hour). A more logical ordering is CSTA.

Contrition … "I am sorry." When we come before God, we need first to remind ourselves that we are sinners (Jesus makes this clear in Luke 18: 9-14). This is not a pleasant experience — but is necessary. How can we know or experience the loving and purifying mercy of Jesus without first acknowledging our need for it? These moments of "contrition" can take the form a short "examination of conscience," brief apologies, a plea for His mercy and a plan to rectify the error, or even consideration of a strategy for avoiding the sin the next time we find ourselves in its occasion.

Supplication … "I have a favor to ask." This one is easy and obvious: "Hey God … get me outta this situation," … "Boy, have I got a problem," … "Please heal my mother who is so sick," … "Bring the holy souls in Purgatory home to heaven," … or, "God, help me to endure this suffering and to become a saint" … etc. God always hears and answers these prayers. Though we do not always "get what we want," we do receive what we need, along with the grace to recognize that God knows best.

Thanksgiving … "I thank You." Often we tend to be like the nice lepers with lousy manners (Lk 17: 11-19). God’s answers to our prayers usually manifest themselves in such a common and natural manner that we don’t realize that a miracle has taken place. Or perhaps His answer and movement is so deep and mysterious that we are not even aware of its advent. In any case we must always give Him thanks for the wonderful things He has done for us.

Adoration … "I love You." As we continue along this thread of prayer, which is an ascending spiral, we move to the most exalted form of prayer — adoration. Contrition, supplication and thanksgiving frequently are tied to word. Mere human words can hold us back (or even get in the way) of our embracing God. It may help us to read fancy and antiquated prayers composed by authors long forgotten (or even by saints and doctors of the Church) … but God knows those prayers and doesn’t need us to recite them in His Presence. Our Father doesn’t require eloquence, rhetoric or rhyme. God loves to hear our own thoughts and returns our simple love glances. Often our most profound prayers are wordless movements of our hearts toward His. And God does not merely wait for this love — He thirsts for it.

Does this mean we don’t need words any more? Hardly. In this week’s Gospel Jesus teaches the Apostles the "Our Father." The rosary is a vital part of a Catholic’s spiritual development. God intends for us to speak and sing His praises in oral prayers and hymns throughout this life … but also enjoys upon occasion the silent language of love — simple meditation and wordless contemplation.

So, the old acronym ACTS might better be rendered CSTA — Catholic Sinners (or Saints) Thanking the Almighty. As we are engaged by prayer in an ever more loving relationship with God, let’s ask, seek and knock for the grace to "pray always" in the manner which is most pleasing to Him. Amen.

Fr. Riley is administrator of St. Louis Parish in Alexandria.

Copyright ©2001 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.