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The Gospel Proclamation
When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be head because of their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray then in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debtors, as we also have forgiven our debtors .... For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Gaze at Jesus
As we gaze at the life of Jesus, one thing strikes us. That is, Jesus’ inclination to prayer. We find in the scriptures, many instances when Jesus went away from the hustle and bustle of daily life, to a lonely place or to a mountain. What is a mountain? It symbolises a place, where one meets God. For instance, Moses climbed up the mountain, in order to meet God. So, Jesus took time off, during His daily routine, to be with His Abba, in order to communicate with the Heavenly Father.
And, today’s Scripture reading, gives us a discourse which can be considered as a model, to base our prayer - a close intimate relationship with God.
Jesus was a Man, just like any one of us. And, we see this Man, relating to God, through a process, which we call “prayer” Being a human being Himself, Jesus too might have gone through a period, before He could perfect His prayer. The Holy Spirit definitely would have guided Him. In Jesus’ young days, the Blessed Mother too would have taught Him, how to pray.
Prayerful Awareness
This prayer is commonly known as the “Lord’s Prayer”, or more commonly “The Our Father”. Let us take it as our model for our own prayer.
To start with, it teaches us to address God to whom we pray, as “Father” and to praise Him. (vs. 9) Then, we are to desire that God’s reign or God’s rule, which is called God‘s Kingdom may come upon us. (vs. 10) Finally, we ask God, our Heavenly Father, the things we need, both material and spiritual (please note, we are to ask for our “needs’ and not our “wants”), (vs. 11-13), even though God already knows what we need. (vs. 8)
Prayer Starter
Magnify the Lord with me. Let us exalt His name together, I sought the Lord, who answered me. ...
(Ps. 34:4, 5 ...)
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