Some people think that they need to say a lot of things when praying. They go into all sorts of words, noises, gestures, perhaps thinking that God needs some time and hopefully will eventually hear them. Today's Gospel reminds us: "In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him."
Instead, we are taught the Our Father or Lord's Prayer. Though this prayer seems short and concise, it is full of meaning. In the Our Father, we learn to be humble and dependent on God's providence. Are we reciting the Our Father with meaning, humility and conviction? Are we fully aware of what we are praying while reciting the Our Father? Or are we, as the Gospel tells us, merely "babble as the pagans do?" Why the need to rush? Why the need to say so much?
No comments:
Post a Comment