Word columns for July 29

This Sunday is the 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time. In his reflection on this week’s readings, Daniel Harrington writes that "Luke’s journey narrative provide a framework or outline for developing a sound Christian spirituality. One essential element in any variety of Christian spirituality is prayer. Luke’s Gospel is an excellent place to learn about biblical prayer." In her "Word" column from 2004 Dianne Bergant asks "just what is prayer?" "Probably the simplest definition for prayer," she writes, "is talking with God. Talking with God, not merely talking to God. Saying prayers is a very good start, but it is only part of the exchange. In prayer, God speaks as well." Finally in his reflection from 2001 John R. Donahue notes that we should not be afraid to be fierce in prayer: "We should be willing to cause a divine ruckus. Abraham is a model of ’bothering’ God with a tenacious persistence, and I think of the candid prayers of Tevye in ’Fiddler on the Roof,’ or of St. Teresa of Avila’s advice to pray with a ’holy daring.’" Tim Reidy, Online Editor