God’s Mercy Through Persistent Prayer – Jul 27 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jul 27, 2025, where he emphasizes intercessory prayer, using Abraham's plea for Sodom and Jesus' teachings to highlight persistent prayer for others' salvation.

Father delves into the theme of intercessory prayer, focusing on Abraham's dialogue with God about Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 18:20-21). He explains that the "outcry" is the sins of the inhabitants, echoing the blood of Abel crying out (Genesis 4:10). God reveals His plans to Abraham, as Amos notes, to warn humanity of calamity (Amos 3:7), similar to Jonah's mission to Nineveh. Abraham's plea for the righteous (Genesis 18:23-25) shifts the focus to God's mercy, which Father notes is conditional on repentance, as Sodom lacked ten righteous people (Catechism of the Catholic Church 2571). St. Ambrose highlights how the faith of a few can save many. Father ties this to Jesus' teaching on persistent prayer (Luke 11:13), urging shameless persistence in interceding for others. He emphasizes that Jesus, as the mediator (1 Timothy 2:5), intercedes for us (Hebrews 7:25), and we must imitate Him by praying for sinners (Romans 8:29). The punishment of Sodom serves as a warning (Jude 1:7), and Abraham's role foreshadows Christ’s redemptive work (Galatians 3:8). Father encourages righteous living and merciful intercession, inspired by Abraham and Mary.

For Further Reading

Genesis 18:20-21 - NAB - God's dialogue with Abraham - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/18?20
Genesis 4:10 - NAB - Abel's blood cries out - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/genesis/4?10
Amos 3:7 - NAB - God reveals to prophets - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/amos/3?7
Galatians 3:8 - NAB - Abraham's blessing to nations - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/galatians/3?8
Luke 11:13 - NAB - Gift of the Holy Spirit - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/11?13
Hebrews 7:25 - NAB - Christ's intercession for us - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/hebrews/7?25
1 Timothy 2:5 - NAB - Christ as mediator - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1timothy/2?5

00:00 - Introduction to intercessory prayer
00:45 - Sodom and Gomorrah's sins
01:30 - God's dialogue with Abraham
02:15 - Sin cries for justice
03:00 - Abraham's plea for mercy
04:00 - God's conditional mercy
05:00 - Persistence in prayer
06:00 - Jesus as intercessor
07:00 - Call to pray for others
08:00 - Mission to intercede
09:00 - Abraham's success and failure
10:00 - Living righteously

Ave Maria!

Mass: 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time - Sunday
Readings:  - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/072725.cfm
1st: gen 18:20-32
Resp: psa 138:1-2, 2-3, 6-7, 7-8
2nd: col 2:12-14
Gsp: luk 11:1-13

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=864

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