Prayer and Forgiveness

Reading:

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

Reflection:

Prayer and forgiveness are essential pillars of the Christian faith. Although God already knows our needs before we pray we still lift up our intentions to the Lord. Initially, this may seem to be a waste of our “precious” time since God already knows what is on our heart; however in the same way that marriage is strengthened by clear communication between spouses on their needs or goals in life; our relationship with the Lord is strengthened in the same way. No marriage or friendship thrives without communication, especially in such a communication drive society (phone, email, text, etc). So as we lift up our lives in prayers to our Heavenly Father we begin to see our lives from His perspective. In the same way, that spending time with a present day saint would shine light on some aspects of our life that aren’t holy and righteous.  That is when we must humbly ask the Lord for forgiveness in the ways we have offended or hurt our neighbor because otherwise we can become complacent with sin and fail to overcome areas of our sinful nature in our lives.

Encyclical on St Andrew Bobola, Christ’s Unconquered Athelete

http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/pius_xii/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_16051957_invicti-athletae_en.html

Cloud of Witnesses

Reflection:

By reflecting on the lives of the saints, who have gone before us, we are inspired and encouraged to strive for holiness. Similarly, the close friends who we chose to share life with illustrate the values, virtues, and faith of ourselves. Living out the Christian faith with those who seek the universal call to holiness by riding their flesh of sin and persevering in the faith journey gives their friends encouragement and support to grow as well rather than settle for lukewarmness. Just like an NFL football team who unites under the same team goal of winning a Super Bowl, Christian men must build each other up and support each other on the journey toward heaven. For we seek perfection and must be willing to endure and not grow weary just like the saints we emulate.

 

Reading (Hebrew 12: 1 – 4):

Brothers and sisters: Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith. For the sake of the joy that lay before him Jesus endured the cross, despising its shame, and has taken his seat at the right of the throne of God. Consider how he endured such opposition from sinners, in order that you may not grow weary and lose heart. In your struggle against sin you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood.