Powerful

The WORD today (See http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/021616.cfm) reminds me that God's word is very powerful, especially when we get to digest it. 

For those who went to Catholic schools, and those who grew up in catholic families, it is very common to be exposed to different prayers. Especially in school, students are asked to memorize it. They should know it by heart. Unfortunately, memorizing it and knowing it by heart do not mean we understand and internalize it. It is easy to memorize it, but takes a lot of effort to understand and digest it. However, the effectiveness of these prayers is related to how well we understand it. 

In the first reading, we see that God's word is powerful and will do to accomplish its purpose. Yes, I believe this is true. But i also believe that the rate it will accomplish its purpose or how powerful it will be is affected by how much we know and understand the prayer. 

Like food, the better we digest the prayer, the more effective and powerful its effects are. 

In the gospel, Jesus teaches us the Lord's prayer. Probably almost all of us memorize it. But not all of us digest it. If we take the time to digest snd study it, we will see a different beauty in it. We will see it's power. And we will understand more why this short prayer is the prayer Jesus taught his disciples (see related reflection). 

May we go beyond superficial level memorization of prayers, and take time to understand it, to dig deeper and digest it. 

Father God,

Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to experience you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, help me make the extra effort for you. Help me understand deeper the prayers. Help me understand the real meaning and what you indented me to know and reflect on with the prayers. Guide me and talk to me, so I may get to know you more. May I digest it well enough, snd may it strengthen me in my life of faith. Amen. 

Blessed day!

In Christ,

-g-

Ps 

See related reflection:

http://mysimplereflection.blogspot.com/2015/02/lords-prayer.html

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February 16, 2016
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Lectionary: 225

Reading 1 Is 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:
Just as from the heavens
the rain and snow come down
And do not return there
till they have watered the earth,
making it fertile and fruitful,
Giving seed to the one who sows
and bread to the one who eats,
So shall my word be
that goes forth from my mouth;
It shall not return to me void,
but shall do my will,
achieving the end for which I sent it.

Responsorial Psalm PS 34:4-5, 6-7, 16-17, 18-19

R. (18b) From all their distress God rescues the just.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
The LORD has eyes for the just,
and ears for their cry.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.
When the just cry out, the LORD hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
R. From all their distress God rescues the just.

Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:4b

One does not live on bread alone,
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

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