Luke 11:13

“Three principal parables on prayer are transmitted to us by St. Luke: - the first, "the importunate friend,"” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 11:5-13.

“Christian petition is centered on the desire and search for the Kingdom to come, in keeping with the teaching of Christ.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Mt 6:10, 33; Lk 11:2, 13.

“The traditional form of petition to the Holy Spirit is to invoke the Father through Christ our Lord to give us the Consoler Spirit.” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 11:13.

“He distinguished his sonship from that of his disciples by never saying "our Father", except to command them: "You, then, pray like this: 'Our Father'", and he emphasized this distinction, saying "my Father and your Father".” — Catechism footnote: Mt 5:48; 6:8-9; 7:21; Lk 11:13; Jn 20:17.

“To his disciples he speaks openly of the Spirit in connection with prayer” — Catechism footnote: Cf. Lk 11:13.

“…the good Shepherd;” [John 10:11] and also the Holy Ghost, because it is said, “The Father which is in heaven will give the good Spirit to them that ask him.” [Luke 11:13] For the One and Undivided Trinity itself, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, is the Only and One good God.” — the author cites it

“And that this grace is from the Father, He thus states, How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him.” — editor's note: Luke xi. 13.

“…our Lord wished us to pray earnestly and instantly for, in these words: “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him.”…” — editor's note: Luke xi. 13. [The sevenfold gifts.—C.]

“If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him!”” — editor's note: Luke xi. 11–13.

“For although place separate us, yet the Lord the Giver of the feast, and Who is Himself our feast, Who is also the Bestower of the Spirit, brings us together in mind, in harmony, and in the bond of peace.” — editor's note: Cf. Orat. i. 50; ii. 18; Luke xi. 13.

“But according to Luke you will find it thus written: “How much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?”” — editor's note: S. Luke xi. 13.

“And be it known that where Matthew says, “He shall give good things,” Luke has, “shall give his Holy Spirit.” [Luke 11:13] But this ought not to seem contrary, because all the good things which man receives from God, are given by the grace of the Holy Spirit.” — the author cites it

“For when they asked for bread, He gave them manna from heaven; and when they wanted flesh, He sent them abundance of quails—not a serpent for a fish, nor for an egg a scorpion.” — editor's note: Luke xi. 11–13.

““And if we, being evil, know to give good gifts,” much more is it the nature of the Father of mercies, the good Father of all consolation, much pitying, very merciful, to be long-suffering, to wait for those who have turned.” — editor's note: Luke xi. 13.

Having laid aside the metaphor, our Lord added an exhortation, and expressly urged us to ask, seek, and knock, until we receive what we are seeking. Hence he says, And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you.

The words, I say unto you, have the force of an oath. For God doth not lie, but whenever He makes known any thing to His hearers with an oath, he manifests the inexcusable littleness of our faith.

Now by asking, He means prayer, but by seeking, zeal and anxiety, as He adds, Seek, and ye shall find. For those things which are sought require great care. And this is particularly the case with God. For there are…

Or by the word knock perhaps he means seeking effectually, for one knocks with the hand, but the hand is the sign of a good work. Or these three may be distinguished in another way. For it is the beginning of virtue…

But He would not so encourage us to ask were He not willing to give. Let human slothfulness blush, He is more willing to give than we to receive.

Now he who promises any thing ought to convey a hope of the thing promised, that obedience may follow commands, faith, promises. And therefore he adds, For every one that asketh receiveth.

But some one may seek to know, how it comes that they who pray are not heard? To which we must answer, that whose sets about seeking in the right way, omitting none of those things which avail to the obtaining of our…

If also any one from indolence surrenders himself to his desires, and betrays himself into the hands of his enemies, God neither assists him nor hears him, because by sin he has alienated himself from God. It becomes…

The argument then persuading to frequent prayer, is the hope of obtaining what we pray for. The ground of persuasion was first in the command, afterwards it is contained in that example which He sets forth, adding,…

In these words our Saviour gives us a very necessary piece of instruction. For often-times we rashly, from the impulse of pleasure, give way to hurtful desires. When we ask any such thing from God, we shall not…

Consider then this, if the bread be not indeed the food of the soul in knowledge, without which it can not be saved, as, for example, the well planned rule of a just life. But the fish is the love of instruction, as…

Or by the bread is meant charity, because we have a greater desire of it, and it is so necessary, that without it all other things are nothing, as the table without bread is mean. Opposed to which is hardness of…

What great things the world speaks to thee, and roars them behind thy back to make thee look behind! O unclean world, why clamourest thou! Why attempt to turn him away! Thou wouldest detain him when thou art…

Now from the example just given he concludes, If then ye being evil, (i. e. having a mind capable of wickedness, and not uniform and settled in good, as God,) know how to give good gifts; how much more shall your…

Or, he calls the lovers of the world evil, who give those things which they judge good according to their sense, which are also good in their nature, and are useful to aid imperfect life. Hence he adds, Know how to…

Now unless the Holy Spirit were of the substance of God, Who alone is good, He would by no means be called good, since our Lord refused to be called good, inasmuch as He was made man.

Therefore, O covetous man, what seekest thou? or if thou seekest any thing else, what will suffice thee to whom the Lord is not sufficient?

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Catechism §2671.

Cited together in Catechism §2671.

Cited together in Catechism §2671.

Cited together in Origen on Luke 11:9–13 (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 7:9–11 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 7:9–11 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Remigius of Auxerre on Matthew 7:9–11 (3) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Cited together in Bede on Mark 10:17–27 (2) (Catena Aurea).

Matthew 7:11 and Luke 11:13 share the same wording (24 words).