Beloved in Christ,
"Lord, teach us to pray" (Lk 11:2), Jesus' disciples appealed to Him after He concluded a period of prayer. Disciples of Jesus must have observed that he prayed so frequently and seen the necessity of prayer for effective Christian discipleship. Indeed, prayer is the soul of Christian faith. By teaching them the prayer we call the "Lord's prayer" or "Our Father," Jesus established the pattern or model for prayer. The Lucan version proclaimed at Mass this Sunday has five petitions, while the Matthean version has seven petitions. We are always confident that we pray correctly when we pray the way Jesus taught us- by praying for what is necessary for our holy living. However, praying in the proper order of importance is only part of the prayer process. To pray effectively and adequately requires that we pray in line with God's will and do so consistently.
Prayer demands persistence. In the second part of this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus gives an exhortation on the necessity to pray importunately, insistently, and in the literal translation of the Greek word used in the passage, "anaideia," to pray with "shameless persistence". We must never flag in our zeal for prayer. When we pray, we must do so with deep and unflagging faith and unabashed consistency. This disposition and attitude are illustrated for us in Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah in the first reading from Genesis 18:20-32. In what sounded like a negotiation but one done in humility and trust in God's love and mercy, Abraham appealed to God to spare the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah if he finds fifty, and downward to forty-five, thirty, twenty, and ten righteous people in them. Abraham prayed with "unembarrassed boldness."
Whenever we call to God for help in our time of need, He will answer us (Ps. 138:3). However, we must pray or ask in humble faith, in line with God's will for us, and with "shameless persistence," that is, persistently. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, but do it without wavering faith and pray without ceasing. In praying this way, we strengthen our relationship with God and grow in holiness and virtue. Pray always: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and at night. Pray while carrying out active service and when you are at rest. Pray with your heart and your voice. Do not stop praying for that intention that you consider essential, even when it appears you are not getting the answer you want. That is only your understanding or perception; God may have his plans, and his plans are always the right ones for our salvation. He knows what is best for us because he is our loving Father in Heaven who will give "the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Lk 11:13).
On this World Day for Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly, we pray that they find joy and hope in their grandchildren and those they bestow sacrifice of love.
We pray for Linda Itzoe, who served as our parish organist for over 50 years. We celebrate her dedication and devotion to prayer through music today. We will hold a reception in her honor after 10:30 a.m. Mass this Sunday. All should please stop at the parish hall to thank her for her generous services over the years.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
"Lord, teach us to pray" (Lk 11:2), Jesus' disciples appealed to Him after He concluded a period of prayer. Disciples of Jesus must have observed that he prayed so frequently and seen the necessity of prayer for effective Christian discipleship. Indeed, prayer is the soul of Christian faith. By teaching them the prayer we call the "Lord's prayer" or "Our Father," Jesus established the pattern or model for prayer. The Lucan version proclaimed at Mass this Sunday has five petitions, while the Matthean version has seven petitions. We are always confident that we pray correctly when we pray the way Jesus taught us- by praying for what is necessary for our holy living. However, praying in the proper order of importance is only part of the prayer process. To pray effectively and adequately requires that we pray in line with God's will and do so consistently.
Prayer demands persistence. In the second part of this Sunday's Gospel reading, Jesus gives an exhortation on the necessity to pray importunately, insistently, and in the literal translation of the Greek word used in the passage, "anaideia," to pray with "shameless persistence". We must never flag in our zeal for prayer. When we pray, we must do so with deep and unflagging faith and unabashed consistency. This disposition and attitude are illustrated for us in Abraham's intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah in the first reading from Genesis 18:20-32. In what sounded like a negotiation but one done in humility and trust in God's love and mercy, Abraham appealed to God to spare the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah if he finds fifty, and downward to forty-five, thirty, twenty, and ten righteous people in them. Abraham prayed with "unembarrassed boldness."
Whenever we call to God for help in our time of need, He will answer us (Ps. 138:3). However, we must pray or ask in humble faith, in line with God's will for us, and with "shameless persistence," that is, persistently. Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, but do it without wavering faith and pray without ceasing. In praying this way, we strengthen our relationship with God and grow in holiness and virtue. Pray always: in the morning, in the afternoon, in the evening, and at night. Pray while carrying out active service and when you are at rest. Pray with your heart and your voice. Do not stop praying for that intention that you consider essential, even when it appears you are not getting the answer you want. That is only your understanding or perception; God may have his plans, and his plans are always the right ones for our salvation. He knows what is best for us because he is our loving Father in Heaven who will give "the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Lk 11:13).
On this World Day for Prayer for Grandparents and the Elderly, we pray that they find joy and hope in their grandchildren and those they bestow sacrifice of love.
We pray for Linda Itzoe, who served as our parish organist for over 50 years. We celebrate her dedication and devotion to prayer through music today. We will hold a reception in her honor after 10:30 a.m. Mass this Sunday. All should please stop at the parish hall to thank her for her generous services over the years.
In Christ,
Fr. Alayode, OP
RSS Feed