Amy Florian

Instead, Jesus promises that if we ask for anything, we will receive “good things”. In other words, we will receive what we need, not necessarily what we want.

Liturgy, our prayers, and our obedience are important, absolutely, but they are not the ultimate point. They are the means by which we are fed so we can enter into something deeper, enabling us to bring in the outcast, feed the hungry, defend the powerless, stand against injustice, and live as Jesus did.

Perhaps hope, instead of being based on circumstances or on human motivations, is based on the “one who is true.”

As a present-day disciple, I want God to increase my faith. But that means it’s up to me to open doors, take down walls and barriers, and tap into the ever-present love of the God who longs for me.

Perhaps this week we can all pray for a good interior housecleaning, calling on the help of Jesus, the saints and angels, all those living and dead whom we love, and even a good therapist!

Prophetic Gospel voices are desperately needed in our world today. Let’s do it together.

In my heart, though, I know it isn’t right for fear to drive us away from God instead of into God’s arms.