Fr Kevin Kilgore

***

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

‘Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

Prayer is a two-way street. In most cases, we begin by asking the Lord for things we want…then we hang on, and await a response.

I think of God’s response to our prayers like a stoplight – it’s either green, yellow, or red.

At times, we pray for something and it’s given right away. For example, we lose our keys and pray to Saint Anthony. Suddenly, POOF! We find them. 

A green light. 

***

Other times, the answer is, “No.” A red light. 

Even Jesus heard “no” from his Father. 

Remember what happened on the last night of his life on earth. Overwhelmed by the knowledge that he’s about to be crucified as his ministry seemed like a failure, Jesus prayed to his Father, saying. “Let this cup pass from me.”

But hours later, he was dead. A red light.

***

The majority of our prayers receive yellow lights. We ask God for something, but it takes time before it’s answered. 

Consider how many people around the world are praying for an end to war; for their daily bread; for help in their marriage; for strength to remain sober; for healing from an illness; for divine peace.

We beg Jesus for help. Until he answers, we wait. This period of waiting is intended to be fruitful. Think of faith like a muscle; it must be exercised in order to become stronger. 

Thus, waiting is type of spiritual exercise that is meant to strengthen our faith in God’s Providence.

***

So, what are you praying for? What’s the “yellow light” in your life?

***

While waiting for an answer, meditate on the Lord’s prayer: “Thy kingdom come…Thy will be done.” We might add: “If you will it, Lord, turn that yellow light green.”

***

***

Image credits: (1) My Bible Thoughts with Pastor Rich (2) Readers Digest (3) The Drive

***

Gospel: Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18

Jesus said to his disciples:
“Take care not to perform righteous deeds
in order that people may see them;
otherwise, you will have no recompense from your heavenly Father.
When you give alms, do not blow a trumpet before you,
as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets
to win the praise of others.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you give alms,
do not let your left hand know what your right is doing,
so that your almsgiving may be secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites,
who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners
so that others may see them.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door,
and pray to your Father in secret.
And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

“When you fast, do not look gloomy like the hypocrites.
They neglect their appearance,
so that they may appear to others to be fasting.
Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.
But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face,
so that you may not appear to others to be fasting,
except to your Father who is hidden.
And your Father who sees what is hidden will repay you.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

For two years, I taught third grade in Newark. It was surprising to see what children, many under immense stress, would do for a simple reward at the end of the day – a lollipop, a piece of chocolate, or a positive phone call home.

I quickly learned – and clung to – that old saying: “Honey attracts more flies than vinegar.” 

***

In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the same approach while speaking about the rewards for being his followers. Whenever we give alms, pray, or fast in secret, our Father who sees in secret will repay us.

Of course, this begs the question, “What kind of reward will we receive?”

Not a lollipop or chocolate. Rather, three things which the world cannot give.

***

First, divine peace.

The spiritual practices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving always lead to a detachment from worldly things, thus an interior freedom – a peace – which the world cannot give. 

Secondly, doing God’s work leads to more work. 

Remember the parable Jesus told about a rich man who gave each of his three servants separate amounts of coins – five, three, and one. Then the rich man left and went on a journey.

When he returned, the servant with five coins doubled his master’s fortune, as did the servant who was given three. Each were “rewarded” with extra responsibilities. Meanwhile, the servant who was given one coin buried it… and then his Master essentially buried him! 

In the same way, we who are faithful in little things now like prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, should not be surprised if or when the Lord gives us more responsibility.

Finally, we shall see God’s face in heaven. For believers, there can be nothing sweeter. 

***

May we spend this day doing God’s work, so that we might receive his three-fold blessing of peace, more work, and the joy of seeing his face forever.

***

***

Image credits: (1) Missionaries of the Holy Family (2) Worship Leaders University (3) PrimoBibleVerses, X.com

***

Gospel: Matthew 5: 43-48

Jesus said to his disciples:
“You have heard that it was said,
You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.
But I say to you, love your enemies
and pray for those who persecute you,
that you may be children of your heavenly Father,
for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good,
and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust.
For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have?
Do not the tax collectors do the same?
And if you greet your brothers only,
what is unusual about that?
Do not the pagans do the same?
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

The Gospel of the Lord.

***

***

If you have ever played a video game, then you know that there is always a series of levels. 

The first level is the easiest, and the final level is the most difficult.

Sometimes it takes multiple tries before you succeed in beating that final level… but if you do, then you’ve mastered the game.

***

If Christianity were likened to a video game, then today’s Gospel would be the final level: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. 

If you can freely do this, then you’ve mastered Christianity. 

Or, you might say, the art of love. 

Have I mastered the art of love?

***

Most of us likely have not. There are some mountains too tall for us to climb, humanly speaking. Forgiving those who’ve hurt us or praying for our enemies can be one of them. 

This can be particularly true in our most intimate relationships.

But anything is possible since, “the love of God has been poured into our hearts” (Romans 5:5). By grace, the impossible becomes possible as we allow Christ to control our hearts.

***

This is how the game is mastered, so to speak, by surrendering to God until we can admit humbly, “it is no longer I who live, but Christ living in me” (Galatians 2:20).

***

***

Image credits: (1) Aleteia (2) Sermon on the Mount, Carl Bloch (3) weak Christian, WordPress