Author: admin

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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.

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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, pray to Saint Anthony, then POOF! We find them. 

A green light. 

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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.

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

Think of the many yellow lights in our lives.

People around the world are praying for an end to war. Others are asking for help in their marriage, for strength to remain sober, or for healing from an illness.

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

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

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While waiting for an answer, try meditating 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.”

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Image credits: (1) The Catholic Crusade (2) iStock (3) Studer Imagery

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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.

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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.” 

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In today’s Gospel, Jesus takes the same approach, speaking three different times about the reward for being his follower. Whenever someone gives alms, prays, or fasts, “Your Father who sees in secret will repay you.”

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

Not a ribbon, worldly praise, a precious title, or dollars and cents.

Rather, faithful Christians will receive three rewards: two here on earth, and one in the life to come.

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The first is peace.

Doing the right thing always leads to a type of interior freedom, a peace which the world cannot give.

The second is more work. 

Remember the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25:14-30). Jesus tells a story about a rich man who gave each of his three servants separate amounts of coins – one was given five coins, another three, another 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 then “rewarded” with extra responsibility. 

Meanwhile, the servant who was given one coin buried it… and, essentially, his Master buried him! 

Third, we will be rewarded with the vision of God. For those who love him, there can be nothing sweeter. But for those who have avoided – or outright rejected God – there can be nothing more sour.

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May we spend this day doing God’s will, hoping to be rewarded with the triple-crown of: peace, more work, and the vision of God as the cherry on top.

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Image credits: (1) nobiblenobreakfast.com (2) tes.com (3) freepik.com