MY daily reflection and prayer:
Tuesday, February 16, 2016
The first Week of Lent
Dear my friends,
Here is the Gospel for us today according to St. Matthew 6:7-15
Jesus teaches, “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our debts, As we also have forgiven our debtors; And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ.
***
IN today’s Gospel Jesus teaches us how to pray. First, “in praying do not heap up empty phrases.” With this word he wants us to understand that prayer is more about listening than about talking.
Second, he tells us that God is our Father who knows what we need before we ask him. So, we have to ask God what we most need for our salvation.
Third, he gives us the best model of prayer. We call it the “Our Father” prayer. In praying the “Our Father,” we essentially focus on three things. First, God must have the first place in our lives by hallowing his name. Second, he will give us our material and spiritual sustenance. Third, he will grant us his forgiveness so we must forgive others and he will lead not into temptation but deliver us from every evil.
In the Perpetual Adoration of the Eucharist, we worship Jesus Christ in silence. We can recite the best prayer of Jesus with love and confidence.
Let’s pray: Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for teaching us to pray to the Father. Help us to pray more and better. Help us to want with all our heart to give God the first place in our lives. Forgive us our sins as we forgive others and lead us not to temptation but deliver us from every evil now and forever. Amen.
Kredit foto: Ilustrasi (Ist)
