Fish And Eggs

Jesus said to his disciples: “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence. 

“And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:5-13)

How many fathers hand their sons a snake or a scorpion instead of a fish or an egg?  In other words, how many fathers are wicked, and give their sons nothing but grief or pay them no mind?  How many sons ask but do not receive; seek but don’t find; knock on the door, but fathers don’t open?  For many sons this is the unfortunate consequence of fathers who refuse to be responsible.  There are too many fathers who don’t know how to give simple gifts to their sons – attention and love.

Their Father in heaven, however, gives good gifts, the best one being the Holy Spirit.  This gift is delivered free of charge with no postage due.   It doesn’t need to knock on sons’ doors.  The Holy Spirit opens those doors itself to deliver fresh fish and eggs.

Deacon David Pierce