Jun 19 2024 4 mins
Thursday 11th week in ordinary time "Mt 6:7-15"
"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..." When you pray, don't be like those who "think that they will be heard for their many words." Prayer isn't about beautiful and creative speeches. In fact, every prayer is creative no matter what you say, providing you say something. To create means to produce something new that didn't exist before, and none of your words existed before you said them. So then... what should I say? Anything. God loves your prayer so much that anything you say is good enough. "Prayer" teaches St Josemaría "is not a question of what you say or feel, but of love. And you love when you try hard to say something to the Lord, even though you might not actually say anything". You see? "you love when you try hard", that's it! Certainly some things are better than others. Can I speak about a film? Well, do you speak about films with your friends? And… is Jesus your friend? Then... if it helps you... go ahead! But as you do when you have a guest, try to talk about what 'He' likes, more than about what 'you' like. You shouldn't pray for your sake, but for His sake: 'I pray because You love it, Lord'. St Josemaría used to be in the confessional first thing in the morning. Every morning he would hear the door of the church being opened, and then a clatter of metal, followed by the slamming of the door. Curious to know what was going on, one day he stationed himself at the entrance to the church. When the door flew open he found himself face to face with a milkman, carrying the cans for his milk-round. He asked him what he was doing. 'Father,' the man replied, 'every morning I come up here, open the door … and say to him, Jesus, here's John the milkman.' St Josemaría was left speechless. He spent the rest of the day repeating the aspiration: 'Lord, here is this wretch, who doesn't know how to love you like John the milkman'. God loved the milkman's prayer. Does Jesus like my prayer? Be sure: He LOVES it! My Mother Immaculate, St Joseph my father and lord, my Guardian Angel… teach me to pray.
"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..." When you pray, don't be like those who "think that they will be heard for their many words." Prayer isn't about beautiful and creative speeches. In fact, every prayer is creative no matter what you say, providing you say something. To create means to produce something new that didn't exist before, and none of your words existed before you said them. So then... what should I say? Anything. God loves your prayer so much that anything you say is good enough. "Prayer" teaches St Josemaría "is not a question of what you say or feel, but of love. And you love when you try hard to say something to the Lord, even though you might not actually say anything". You see? "you love when you try hard", that's it! Certainly some things are better than others. Can I speak about a film? Well, do you speak about films with your friends? And… is Jesus your friend? Then... if it helps you... go ahead! But as you do when you have a guest, try to talk about what 'He' likes, more than about what 'you' like. You shouldn't pray for your sake, but for His sake: 'I pray because You love it, Lord'. St Josemaría used to be in the confessional first thing in the morning. Every morning he would hear the door of the church being opened, and then a clatter of metal, followed by the slamming of the door. Curious to know what was going on, one day he stationed himself at the entrance to the church. When the door flew open he found himself face to face with a milkman, carrying the cans for his milk-round. He asked him what he was doing. 'Father,' the man replied, 'every morning I come up here, open the door … and say to him, Jesus, here's John the milkman.' St Josemaría was left speechless. He spent the rest of the day repeating the aspiration: 'Lord, here is this wretch, who doesn't know how to love you like John the milkman'. God loved the milkman's prayer. Does Jesus like my prayer? Be sure: He LOVES it! My Mother Immaculate, St Joseph my father and lord, my Guardian Angel… teach me to pray.