"Ask, and you will receive; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives; whoever seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened. Would any of you give a stone to your son, when he asks for bread? Or give him a snake, when he asks for a fish? However bad you may be, you know how to give good things to your children. How much more, then, will your FATHER in heaven give good things to those who ask HIM!
So, do to others whatever you would that others do to you: there, you have the law and the prophets." - Matthew 7:7-12
(JESUS invites us to ask with perseverance: persevering petitions cease being self-centered and become prayer, that is, they lift us up and bring us closer to GOD.
What about asking the saints? We must admit, that, very often, the person who begs from the saints takes a road opposed to real prayer. Such a person is not interested in discovering GOD's mercy, but in obtaining some favor. She does not care whom she addresses as long as she finds an efficient and automatic dispenser of benefits. So begins the search for saints, shrines and devotions.
The Church is a family. Just as we ask our friends to pray for us, so too and much more should we ask our brothers and sisters, the saints. No one will criticize us if, at times, we show our confidence in their intercession, especially the intercession of those whom we admire more because we know their lives and their deeds. This "petition" to the saints should not, however, be confused with perseverance in asking, which introduces us into GOD's mystery. Only Mary, the mother of GOD can accompany us in that prayer because GOD made her our mother; because HE deposited in her all the compassion HE has for us; and because HE united her to HIMSELF in such a way that when we look at her, we always find the living presence of GOD.)
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