Lk. 11: 1-13
Recently we got an opportunity to organize a Christian leadership programme (CLP ‘19) for the youngsters. We had taken youngsters to Ajjanahalli (around 80 kms from where we stay) for a day of animation. We presented to them different dimensions of Christian leadership. Most of our sessions were outdoors clubbed with hiking, forest trails etc. All the participants were active and attended the programme with enthusiasm. We planned this programme in such a way that it would facilitate the youngsters to share their experiences and views than becoming just spectators. Interestingly, these sessions became the highlight of the day. They spoke out of their convictions. It was deeply rooted in the Scripture and it also reflected their personal relationship with Jesus. The responses of the participants towards these sessions were quite surprising. They were vibrant urban youth. But they were very attentive during these sessions, sharing their views, reflections on the Word of God, etc. One of the participants donned the role of the resource person and animated the youth on a session titled: ‘the spirit filled leader.’ At the end when I reflected over their sessions I realized that their effectiveness as youth animators is because they themselves are the spirit filled leaders.
In today’s gospel, we see the disciples ask Jesus to teach them to pray and Jesus teaches them the prayer ‘Our Father.’ It can be considered as the greatest of all prayer because it touches all the aspects of human existence. This prayer invites us to pray unceasingly with hope, at times we think that some of our prayers are not answered or heard by God. But even the feeblest utterances that rise from our being are answered by God in His ways and time. We need to cultivate openness towards this mystery dimension of prayer. Again Jesus emphasizes the strength of prayer by inviting us to ask, seek, and knock. It is an assurance form Jesus because He is our mediator in the presence of the Father. After all, what grace are we asking in our moments of prayer? Invariably, most of us try to ask, seek and knock for the ways to fulfill our material needs and its fulfillment. Do we really pray for the gifts and fruits of the Holy Spirit? I agree that I have not prayed so intensely for this grace… Jesus is asking us to pray particularly for the presence of the Holy Spirit with us that we may glorify God through our words and deeds…
I believe those youngsters whom I encountered, did not have a any deep philosophical or theological background but they had the promptings of The Holy Spirit. That made all the difference, the Spirit empowered them to be efficacious and fruitful…
Let us pray for the outpouring of the Spirit that we may be transformed as Spirit filled Leaders….