Thursday June18, 2015

Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time

(II Corinthians 11:1-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

Several years ago a number of liturgists from different Christian traditions approved an alternative translation of the Lord’s Prayer.  There are no “thy’s” in the new version nor does it say of the Father “who art in heaven.”  The experiment calls for “sins,” not “trespasses,” to be forgiven and prays to be saved from “the time of trial” rather than not to be led “into temptation.”

The purpose of the experiment, no doubt, is to enable Christians to be more conscious of what they are saying when praying this quintessential Christian prayer.  As Jesus in today’s gospel criticizes pagans for babbling in prayer, some Christians mindlessly repeat the words of the “Our Father.”

The alternative version was to be approved by the various traditions.  This could not have been easy as the traditional form is so embedded in people’s consciousness that asking people to change would bring about a reaction.  Whether or not the wording of the “Our Father” is ever altered for general use, we should take care not to rattle off the prayer as if it were a password to access divine attention.  Rather we should say its words with deliberation always contemplating what they mean. 

Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Isaiah55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

When Isaiah speaks of God’s word going forth from His mouth, he is using the term figuratively.  Word is more than a vocal sound with a definite meaning; it is a figure of speech standing for all truth about God.  For this reason Jesus is called the “Word of God.”  When we see Jesus, we see God.  This does not mean that we can know everything about God who will forever remain a mystery.  In a sense, but in an infinitely greater way, as we cannot know everything even about any person even our spouses for fifty years, we will never come to know all about God.

In today’s gospel Jesus reveals what is most important to us about God.  When he urges us to call God “Father,” he is telling us that although God created the universe, He still cares for us individually with the tenderest of loves.  Jesus also reminds us, “like father, like son”: as we expect God to pardon our sins, we should forgive others theirs.

Many of us pray the “Our Father” throughout the day.  We do well to make it our last words as we go to sleep at night and the first words on our lips in the morning.  In this way we will never forget that God is at hand to help us and that we are made to be like Him.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Tuesday of the First Week of Lent

(Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

The Sermon on the Mount in Matthew’s gospel comprises what scholars call a parenesis.  This Greek term means a spiritual exhortation with a program of moral imperatives.  The section begins with Jesus explicating the goal of life, which is always happiness or beatitude.  It proceeds with his heightening the Law of Moses to embrace the imperatives of a truly God-like lifestyle.  After elaborating the goal and the way of life, Jesus indicates in today’s gospel the assistance that is necessary to proceed.

Addressing God confidently by calling Him “Father,” the “Lord’s Prayer” beseeches God to create an environment where one may act righteously.  In a world where God’s name is revered, His kingdom is realized, and His will accomplished, walking an extra mile and loving one’s enemy do not seem like such daunting tasks.  Then the prayer asks for more specific aids: bread, both the natural and supernatural kinds; forgiveness of faults, which plague people even in a truly just society; and liberation from trials that may unravel the entire good one has endeavored to produce.

Many of us say the “Our Father” rather unthinkingly throughout the day.  It is good that the words pass through our heads so frequently because when we find ourselves in dire need, they will direct us to where our help come from.  It is also eminently beneficial that we reflect on the words once in a while so that we may realize how we need our Father’s assistance if we are going to act like Him.

Homilette for Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Tuesday of the First Week in Lent

(Isaiah 55: 10-11; Matthew 6:7-15)

It is said that while Charles Lindberg was making the first solo flight across the Atlantic, he began to doubt the accuracy of his instruments. Worrying that his compass was incorrectly calibrated, he was tempted to change his course. But he kept faith in the compass and successfully landed in Paris.

As a navigator trusts his compass, we put our faith in the word of God. Isaiah in the first reading tells us God’s word always accomplishes its purpose. Because Jesus utters it, the “Our Father” of the gospel today is certainly the word of God. We can utterly rely on its efficacy. The bread we long for on will be provided. The forgiveness we require will be granted. We must remember, however, to say the prayer -- not occasionally and half-heartedly but frequently and resolutely.