"In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words." Matthew 6:7
"One does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God." (Matthew 4:4b) These are the words found in today's Gospel Acclamation reminding us to heed God's word, take it to heart, savor it and put it into practice.
And what is God's word today? We need look no further than the opening words of the Gospel: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words." It seems to me this is another way of God saying: "Be still and know that I am God." (Psalm 46)
We are bombarded with words, aren't we? Often we are not content to hear only the commentator's voice on TV but looking for the closed captions and the "breaking news" scroll across the bottom of the TV screen. Or we start to say a prayer as familiar as the Our Father only to realize our mind has drifted to trying to solve the unseen problems in the day ahead. But, Jesus said, simply, Pray thus: "Give us this day our daily bread, forgive us our trespasses, lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Then He adds the phrase that we sometimes like to forget, or don't want to remember: "If you do not forgive, neither will your Father forgive you transgressions."
Jesus' model prayer is powerful in its simplicity! It is among the first prayers we memorize and the last to cross one's dying lips. Carve out a few minutes in today's hectic pace to pray for the ones who taught you the Our Father and those along the way who helped you understand its meaning.
Who first taught you the Our Father and who along the way helped you understand its meaning?
Turn your focus from self and personal needs to let God be God in all the circumstances that will unfold today as you courageously strive to live today's Gospel message.
Reflection by:
Sr. Roberta Bailey, OSB
Did You Know...
Sister Roberta Bailey, OSB, is currently the prioress (president) of the Benedictine Sisters of Florida in Saint Leo. Sister serves on the diocesan Commission for Religious. She is the former principal of St. Anthony Catholic School in San Antonio, Florida, and Saint John Paul II Catholic School in Lecanto, Florida. Sister Roberta is celebrating her 61st year in religious life.
