God loves bottoms.
Now before you get all offended by that statement, let me explain it. Ok, for example, there’s the second reading at the Mass today, where Jesus empties himself and becomes a slave, obedient to death. Jesus goes from the top to the bottom. And of course, God loves bottoms, so what happens? God exalts him with the name above every other name, so that every knee that exists bends at His name. And then in the Gospel today, who is entering the kingdom of God first? Not the people on the top – the chief priests and the elders – but the people on the bottom, the tax collectors and the prostitutes. Because God loves bottoms.
When I came back from Ecuador I had the opportunity to stay temporarily in my friend’s parents’ house while I was looking for a place of my own to stay in. So every day I would get on Craigslist and hunt for apartments. Most requests I never got a reply from. Two were scams, actually the same ones under different names. I visited a few places and they were not a fit at all. Finally, something deep down inside of me needed to come out. I went to the church, and from the very bottom of my heart, I asked God for a place to live. When I was done, all I can say is that I felt a peace. I knew He heard me and was going to act.
The next day, I got a call from a friend’s father, who happens to own some houses and apartments that he rents out. A house was open in a great, great location. “I have four units available, you can come by and pick out one you like.” I went by and found the perfect place. Done.
There are a lot of different types of prayer to God. In fact, a lot of people have tried to explain why He listens to some prayers and others He doesn’t. And people have made a lot of money off of that. But the secret is simple.
God listens to prayer from the very bottom of the heart.
Because God loves bottoms.
Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to a city to dwell in;
hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them.
Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress;
he led them by a straight way, till they reached a city to dwell in.
Let them thank the LORD for his steadfast love, for his wonderful works to the sons of men!
For he satisfies him who is thirsty, and the hungry he fills with good things. (Psalm 107:4-9)
Thanks be to God!
ALM 