Abraham pleads with God for mercy on Sodom, bargaining with God to spare the city for the sake of even a few righteous people. God is patient and compassionate. He listens to us, especially when we speak in love. Abraham’s conversation with God encourages us to approach God with confidence and humility, knowing he listens to our deepest concerns mercifully. St. Paul re- minds us of the new life we have in Christ through our baptism, when we were “buried” with Christ and “raised” to life with him. Let us claim our identity as people freed and made new in Christ. In the Gospel reading, Jesus teaches his disciples to pray with persistence and trust. He encourages us to ask, seek, and knock, knowing that our Father desires to give good gifts. Today’s readings give us an opportunity to reflect on God’s mercy, his power to renew us, and his desire to be in relationship with us, answering our prayers as we seek him earnestly and confidently.

PRAYER: Abba Father, may we be merciful and compassionate towards others. Amen.