The Word: "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (Galatians 2:14)
Mystery of the day: Glorious
Celebration of the day: Ferial
Table of the Word: I R.: Galatians 2:1-2.7-14
Resp. Psalm: Psalm 117:1.2 (R. Mark 16:15)
Verse before the Gospel: Romans 8:15
Gospel: Luke 11:1-4
Inspiration: The Pauline's epistle to the Philippians Church and the Psalmist define Prayer as a sincere, heartfelt conversation with God, expressing worship, gratitude, confession, petition, and intercession." (cf. Philippians 4:6, Psalm 116:1-4)
In other words, prayer is the raising up of heart and mind to God, a dialogue between man and God, that is Father and son or daughter. As such there are needed factors for this conversation which St. Paul in the first reading called to mind when he addressed Cephas over his insincerity: "If you, though a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?" (Galatians 2:14)
However, for us to get it right in the course of our conversation with God who is all in all, there is utmost need to be sincere, docile and humble. That is our verbal expression of "Yes" when it is "Yes" should tally with our action and so same with "No." In doing this we will be blameless before our God and our conversation that is Prayer will not be abomination before Him.
Prayer has variety of forms such as: Adoration (worship), Confession (repentance), Thanksgiving (gratitude), Petition (request), Intercession (praying for others) and Meditation which is reflective prayer.
In today's gospel reading, the Apostle approached Jesus and requested that they should be taught how to pray. In response our Lord taught them saying: "When you pray, say: "Father, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread; and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive every one who is indebted to us; and lead us not into temptation." (Luke 11:1-4). This pattern of prayer which often referred to as: "The Lord's Prayer" embodies all kinds of prayer expected of every Christian as itemised above.
Sadly, most of often when we pray, or converse with God we don't give God audience to respond to our request, that is no moment of solitude on our part; we keep on requesting.
In the light of this that we are called to a life of not merely "prayer" but that of "effective prayer," which entails: Setting aside dedicated time, Finding a quiet, distraction-free space, being sincere and honest, using Scripture as guidance, and above all listening to God's voice in solitude.
Finally, let our "identity" as Christians matched with our "actions" so that we may find a suitable platform for conversation or dialogue with our God, who is ever ready and willing to hearken to our plea. Peace be with you!
Let us pray
Almighty and everliving God, we thank You for the many blessings we receive. We are deeply sorry for the many times we have offended You in thoughts, words and actions. Grant us we pray the grace to be sincere so as to have a suitable platform in our conversation with You. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen
© The ARCHIVE 09102024
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