The most common greeting on meeting a friend or stranger is probably “how are you?”

Most of the time the question is just a way of opening the conversation and we don’t really want to hear an honest or detailed answer. Think of the people who, when you ask them how they are, take the opportunity to give you every detail of all their aches and anxieties. We soon learn not to ask them how they are!

But if someone really wants to know how you are, how do you work out how you are? I could say that I have no aches and pains today and had a decent sleep last night so I am ok, but when I think a bit more deeply, considering my hopes and hurts and anxieties about the day ahead, I’m not too sure how I really am, and an unexpected phone call or email bringing bad or good news has the power to change my feeling within seconds.

But perhaps there is a way to ensure that I am well whatever is going on in my life. Maybe there is a security available to me that can give me the stability I seek whatever news the day brings?

Perhaps the real question is not about how I am but about who God is?

Many people call themselves non-believers or athiests. But when they describe the God they don’t believe in I can add that I don’t believe in that God either.

The God they describe doesn’t exist.

Some people say that God is whoever you want God to be. But one who believes knows that God is not simply our own creation or imagining. God exists apart from ourselves. We don’t create God. God creates us.

Jesus presents a helpful comparison: Think of what you are like on your best days, how generous, how loving, how forgiving. Well if you (given all your imperfections and frailties) can be that good, imagine how much more generous, loving and forgiving God is!

So given that God exists, how can I get to know God? How can I live in relationship with Jesus Christ who is God-with-us?

Today’s gospel gives us the method as a helpful acronym.

A. S. K.

ASK and it will be given to you;

SEARCH and you will find;

KNOCK and the door will be opened to you.

An Invitation:

• You might like to make ASK your word of the day, remembering to tell Jesus your needs asking for his visible and audible response, searching for the subtle signs of God in the ups and downs of your day, and knocking persistently at the doorways Jesus is waiting to open into a future full of hope for you.

• Thank you to those who have sent donations to support the Food For Faith mission. If you have also sent an email with contact details your receipts will follow in the next few days. S0me have committed to a monthly contribution and this is especially helpful for our budgeting. More information on how to donate to the development of the FFF mission at this link. Once again, thank you. Be assured of my prayers for you and for your intentions.

• The daily Lectio Divina reflections now have their own page at this link.