Homily (Reflection) for Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time (I) (17th June, 2021) on the Gospel
2Cor 11:1-11;
Ps 110:1-4.7-8. (R. v.7);
Matt 6:7-15.
Topic: Very important.
How a request is made contributes greatly to how it will be received. As a result, before approaching anyone for assistance, one of the things people get clear in their heads is how best to do the presentation. Sometimes people meet either those close to the people or those whose requests were granted for advice.
Saint John’s gospel reads, “No one has ever seen God; the
only Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, he has made him known” (Jn 1:18). Again, “No one has ascended
into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of man” (Jn 3:13). That only Son who knows the
way to the Father’s heart teaches us in today’s gospel, “When you are praying,
do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will
be heard because of their many words.” He emphasized, “Do not be like them....”
Do we follow this advice while praying today? What about
shouting as if God has some difficulty in hearing or hears more readily those
who shout more than others? Where is the difference between Christian prayers
and that of pagans, cf. 1Kg 18:26-29?
Jesus goes further, “... your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
Remember the prayers of the Pharisee and the tax collector.
The Pharisee heaped up empty phrases in the name of prayer, cf. Lk 18:11-12. On the other hand,
although the tax collector uttered just a sentence but God heard him, cf. Lk 18:13-14.
Our help comes from the LORD, cf. Ps 121:2. He works for those who wait for him, cf. Is 64:4. Let us wait for Him praying as
Christians and not Gentiles. He is our refuge, cf. Ps 62:8.
Bible Reading: Ps 121:1-8; Lk 18:9-14.
Thought for today: Our help comes from the Lord, cf. Ps 121:2.
Let us pray: Lord, help us to pray always as you
have thought us – Amen.
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