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Luke 18:9-14

Jesus says of the tax collector, 'I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other.' (v. 14). This is because the tax collector came to pray with a true realisation of his position before God.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, “But when we pray, do we speak from the height of our pride and will, or ‘out of the depths’ of a humble and contrite heart?  He who humbles himself will be exalted; humility is the foundation of prayer.” (para. 2559). It's clear in this parable which of the men is praying from the height of his pride and will, and which out of a 'humble and contrite heart.' Our need is to pray like the tax collector, in humility and repentance. 

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!'  (Ps. 50(51):1-2)

Hosea 5:15-6:6 • Psalm 50(51):3-4, 18-21 • Luke 18:9-14

http://heartsofcompassioninternational.blogspot.com/2012/08/how-to-hear-from-god-part-1.html

God knows that we carry many burdens, but what is our greatest burden?  God knows we have many troubles. but what is our greatest trouble? God knows we have many challenges, but what is our greatest challenge? We often think we are alone with our burdens, troubles or challenges, but perhaps the truth is that we all carry something similar: deep down we have lost a sense of God's love and forgiveness, and we feel that he is far from us.

Our deepest need, then, is to rediscover God's love, forgiveness and plan for our lives. But how can we do this? We can be saved and figure out our salvation by co-operating with the Holy Spirit.  He urges us to find time to pray and be still, for it's in this time of quiet and reflection that we can hear the Lord speak to us.

What does God say to us in prayer?  The Holy Spirit urges us to find time to read his Word, the Scriptures, and calm our minds and refresh our own spirits. What does God say to us through the Scriptures?  The Holy Spirit urges us to deepen our gratitude and sense of awe every time we celebrate the great gift of the Body and Blood of Christ.

What does God say to us through the Eucharist? The Holy Spirit urges us to forgive those who have sinned against us or offended us in any way.  What does God say to us through this gift of forgiveness?  The Holy Spirit urges us to reach out to those on the margins of our society: prisoners, the poor, cold, hungry or naked. 

When we co-operate with the Holy Spirit, find time to pray, read the scriptures, receive the Eucharist, forgive our enemies and serve others in love, charity and humility, God says to us:

'Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for l am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.' (Matt. 11:28-30)

Isaiah 41:13–20 • Psalm 144(145):1, 9–13 • Matthew 11:11–15

Matthew 6:7–15 

Much is written about prayer but only one thing is needed. Much is said about prayer but only one thing is needed. The one thing that is needed is to sit at the feet of Jesus and learn from him, for he is the Teacher and he is the Master of prayer. Today, we do just this: we sit at the feet of our Lord, our Master and our Teacher and learn from him, for he is gentle and humble of heart and we will find rest for our souls.

Jesus’s teaching on prayer is revealed supremely and definitively in the Our Father, because in this prayer we learn all we need to know. Could it be that simple? In a word, yes. St Augustine said: “If you run through the petitions of all holy prayers, I believe you will find nothing that is not summed up and contained in the Lord's Prayer.” St Thomas Aquinas taught, “The Lord's Prayer is the best of all prayers. All prayer requires five excellent qualities which are found here. A prayer should be confident, ordered, suitable, devout and humble.” The Our Father, then, is the fundamental Christian prayer. It reveals that our prayer is directed to God who is Father of us all, connecting us all as brothers and sisters who pray to the one God and Father. Jesus is the One who has revealed his Father, and we are blessed and privileged to be invited by the Son to call God “Father”.

The danger with the Our Father, if we can speak in such terms, is that we have become too familiar with it. We almost need to step back and ask the Lord for a renewed and fresh appreciation of it. If we will learn to recite the Our Father more slowly than we normally would, deliberately pondering and reflecting on each phrase, we will allow the Holy Spirit to teach us and reveal its deeper meaning.

The Lord's Prayer is the most perfect of prayers..In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. This prayer not only teaches us to ask for things, but also in what order we should desire them. (St Thomas Aquinas)

Chris

from Bible Alive

2 Corinthians 11:1–11 • Psalm 110(111):1–4, 7–8 • Matthew 6:7-15

Photo by Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

From the Downside Prayer Book 2009

The New Year

An old custom used to be to give thanks for the old year and pray for blessing on the new. At an early date, the Roman Church kept the day as a feast of Mary and dedicated the new year to the intercession of the Mother of God. It is also observed now as the World Day of Prayer for Peace.

O God of infinite mercy and generosity, we give you thanks for all the good things you have given us over the past year, and ask you in your kindness that, as you have answered the prayers of those who turn to you in faith, so you will never leave us but prepare us for the rewards of eternal life; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Lord of creation, in whose power are all times and seasons, bless this year and crown it with your goodness. Keep your Church in peace, grant us every blessing and lead us to our eternal home, where you reign for ever and ever.

Almighty God, in whose hands lies the destiny of mankind and of the world, let not our hopes perish, nor our sacrifices be in vain. Holy Spirit and giver of life, give us grace to root out from our life the bitterness of ancient wrongs and the desire to be avenged for the betrayals of long ago. Save us from the tyranny of history and set us free to serve each other attentively and live the present as a gift of new life.

In the power of our redemption by you we believe that all our sins of yesterday are forgiven by your love; grant us the grace and courage now to give and receive the forgiveness which alone can heal the wounds which remain. Draw us towards your loving kindness and guide us in the way of peace.

Anonymous