YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME (1)
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 6:
YEAR A: HOMILY FOR TUESDAY OF THE 23RD WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
HOMILY THEME: ATTITUDE OF PRAYER
BY: Fr. Benny Tuazon
HOMILY: (Lk. 6:12-19) Tuesday of the Twenty Third Week in Ordinary Time
In today’s Gospel Jesus continued His teachings and healings. He had become very popular to the people because His words touched their hearts and His healing powers heal their sicknesses. At the same He began recruiting His apostles. Jesus wanted to involve people in His mission. Present situation would not see the people Jesus’ recruited as ideal. But Jesus knew better. But there was something Jesus did before He made the choices. He spent the night in prayer. This attitude and practice of praying before an important act is regular with Jesus. It means He was not on His own. He always confer with His Father.
It is a practice which we must also adopt. The power of prayer before an important action or decision is a good Christian practice. For St. Ignatius, it is the discipline of discernment. Jesus was truly human, lest we forget. Yet, He knew His responsibility before the Father. He communicates with His father for everything He would do and He receives guidance in turn. We can never underestimate prayer.
The apostles and the Church received this discipline and grace. From the very beginning the Church had practiced and instilled the discipline of prayer. Seminarians have a regular time for prayer everyday. They also undergo monthly recollections. Once a year, a week’s retreat is experienced. In special occasions, like before being installed as lectors, ordained deacons or priests, days of prayer are spent. Even lay people are encouraged to do the same. Parishes usually offer monthly recollections and, in some cases, invite people for retreats. The emergence of Adoration Chapels gives testimony for the hunger of people to commune and waste time with God. Prayer is at the centre of Christian life and the Church. The Holy Mass is the greatest and perfect prayer of the Church. The Holy Mass is the Church’s main prayer. The Church follows her Head, Jesus.
Thus, just like Jesus, we must practice regularly to pray always. We can never go wrong always conferring with the Father.
