Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)
It is said
that words make people human. Other animals
can think although not with much sophistication. They even communicate in different ways. But they do not seem to be able to form
meaningful words. Words not only have power
to move others. They have some sway with
God as well. At least, Jesus in today’s
gospel prescribes certain words to solicit the Father’s attention.
The Our
Father is the preeminent prayer of Christians because it was taught by
Jesus himself. It must be efficacious
because in the first reading God declares that His word will not return to Him
void. When we own it by living it, we will
receive the Father’s care.
A couple
was praying for their daughter who had developed a blood disease. They had lost one daughter to cancer many
years before and feared losing another.
They prayed for their daughter and asked friends to pray as well. A week or so ago, they received news that the
bone marrow transplant their ailing daughter received was successful. It may not be a saint-making miracle, but the
couple is sure that God master-minded the healing,
