The aTTiTude of True Prayer
Oftentimes, we pray because of petitions, favors and requests we ask from God. Most of the time we rush to the church whenever calamities strike, such as the 9/11 bombing and the tsunami phenomenon that killed a huge number of people in the South Asian countries. The Princess of the Stars sea tragedy that happened last year also drove the people to clasp their hands and pray. We have many reasons for praying, some are personal and some are communal. But in today’s Gospel, Jesus presents two attitudes and contents of prayer. One kind of attitude and content is that of the Pharisee who in his prayer uplifted himself and considered himself better than the public sinners. Another kind of attitude is depicted by the tax collector who humbled himself, admitted his sinfulness and recognized the goodness of God.
The prophet Hosea in the first reading calls for repentance. In a way, he affirms the attitude of the tax collector as he prayed in the Temple. God is telling us through the prophet Hosea that He doesn’t need our burnt offerings and sacrifices. What He desires is our steadfast love and that we grow in the knowledge of Him. Yes, we have different intentions, manners and styles of praying but prayer should bring us to a deeper knowledge and relationship with God. Prayer helps us to know God, to love Him and humble ourselves before Him and learn more from Him. If our prayer is “full of ourselves,” God cannot fill us in any way.
Prayer brings us closer to God. The closer we are to God, the better we come to know who we are. In prayer, as God reveals Himself to us privately, we also recognize our sinfulness and unworthiness. A humble prayer is a school wherein we know God and hence by knowing Him we come to love Him. We cannot of course love somebody without knowing Him. Fr. Joel O. Jason
Reflection Question:
1. What is the usual content of my prayers? How do I pray? Do I recognize God in my prayer moments? 2. Do I see my own unworthiness and sinfulness as I pray? Do I spend quality time talking with God in spite of my busy schedule?
Lord, teach me how to pray for I really don’t know how to pray. Allow me to know You more and more so that I may love You even more.
St. Enda, Abbot, pray for us.
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