The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost - July 27, 2025 - Mr. Ed Carrette, Community Missioner, Homilist

SummaryGrace Community Missioner Ed Carrette explores the origins and meaning of the Lord's Prayer, emphasizing that it wasn't Jesus' personal prayer but rather a formula he taught his disciples when they asked to learn how to pray. He highlights that this is fundamentally a community prayer meant to be prayed boldly and courageously, focusing on praising God and placing our needs before Him. Carrette encourages the congregation to pray together as a community with boldness, standing strong in the knowledge that God is ready to hear us.THE GOSPEL                                                                                                                                              Luke 11:1-13Jesus was praying in a certain place, and after he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say:Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone indebted to us. And do not bring us to the time of trial."And he said to them, "Suppose one of you has a friend, and you go to him at midnight and say to him, `Friend, lend me three loaves of bread; for a friend of mine has arrived, and I have nothing to set before him.' And he answers from within, `Do not bother me; the door has already been locked, and my children are with me in bed; I cannot get up and give you anything.' I tell you, even though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, at least because of his persistence he will get up and give him whatever he needs."So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!" Artwork:  The Lord's Prayer (Le Pater Noster), by James Tissot (15 October 1836 – 8 August 1902)