HOMILY FOR THE WEDNESDAY OF THE TWENTY-SEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME YEAR A.
HOMILY THEME: THE PERFECT PRAYER
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY:
(Lk. 11:1-4)
In the day’s Gospel Jesus taught His disciples how to pray. This is Luke’s version which is elliptical compared to Matthews version which is the one used in the mass. The Lord’s prayer is a perfect prayer because it contains everything which we usually utter to God when we bend our knees. Also, it comes from the Lord Jesus Himself. But just like any prayer, more than the words, the attitude one brings with it is what really matters. God does not only hear our words but also our hearts.
While we cannot deceive God, we may deceive ourselves because of the beautiful words we say. At one point, the Lord reminded the apostles that not all who say, “Lord, Lord!” will enter the Kingdom (Mt. 7:21). Jesus wanted His apostles to imbibe His attitude in prayer. When Jesus prays, it is always an opportunity to open up oneself to God and let God’s power enter us and inebriate us with His person. When that happens, we increase our faith, forgive,glorify Him, obey His will, and make us repentant. We should not forget that we are not alone in prayer. We pray with the Church. Even if our intentions are personal, they have impact in the community. When we receive good graces, the community also benefits.
We might be too focused with what we ask for in prayer. At times they might be given. At times not. God knows better. He gives what is best for us. And does not when it will harm us. Let us not forget that praying is a reward in itself. Graces obtained through them are bonuses. When we pray we humble ourselves. Prayer also forms us. Prayer saves.
Jesus taught His apostles to pray like He did. Jesus is the Son of God yet He prays. The more we should. When we pray, we become more like Jesus.
