This coming Sunday is the 17th Sunday in Lectionary Cycle C. With the geographical note, “in a certain place” Luke has separated this narrative from the immediate context of Chapter 10 (the conclusion of the mission of the 72, the parable of the Good Samaritan, and the encounter with Martha and Mary). Luke now presents three episodes concerned with prayer:

• the first (Luke 11:1–4) recounts Jesus teaching his disciples the Christian communal prayer, 
• the “Our Father”; the second (Luke 11:5–8), the importance of persistence in prayer; and
• the third (Luke 11:9–13), the effectiveness of prayer. 

Continue reading →