Me and My Umbrella

July has really been a crazy month for Danifesto. The song of the summer seems to be Rihanna's "Umbrella." It's one of those that my friend Dustin would refer to as an "earworm." We like the faster version that's being played on the radio 4-5 times a day but the link above will give you an idea.

You can imagine my surprise when it entered my head again this afternoon during Mass. The readings were about persistent prayer. Abraham asks God repeatedly to save Sodom and Gomorah. An annoying man knocking in the middle of the night eventually is given food. Jesus advises, "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened."

In the homily, the priest said that these scriptures didn't mean that God wants us to nag Him into submission. He just wants to see how deeply we want the things we ask for in prayer. If it's really necessary, He will give it to us, for "Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!"

The priest brought up futher point with this story (the original story I found here- amused how it changed in the retelling) : There once was a town that was stricken with drought. As a last resort all the churches in the area decided to join forces in one giant prayer ceremony. They brought their crosses, rosaries, Bibles, statues and all the religious items that they normallly used for worship. They prayed and prayed and then the rain miraculously came! All the objects were raised up in the sky in joyful thanksgiving. As the rain continued to pour down, they all noticed one small boy hold up what all the others had all forgotten to bring- an umbrella! He was the only one who believed in the outcome of their efforts!

Upon hearing again of the umbrella, I had to ponder about all my searches this year (both personal and professional) in this new country. What (or who) would be my umbrella?