The WORD today inspires me to give more time and effort for prayer.
Waking up in the morning is one of the challenges in my life. I really find it difficult to wake up in the morning – so much that sometimes three alarms can’t wake me up. This is why what Jesus did in the gospel struck me. After a busy and tiring day doing God’s work, he woke up early. In other translations, it says that he woke up early to pray. He did not just sleep and rested, knowing that he was doing God’s work anyway, and he deserves a little more rest. Jesus woke up early and prayed.
Isn’t is inspiring how Jesus lived?
After a busy day doing God’s work, healing people and proclaiming God’s kingdom, Jesus woke up very early and went to a deserted time to pray, to have his alone time with God. Personally, kung ako yun, after doing God’s work, I probably would have slept longer, thinking that I need energy to continue doing His work and that my body needs to rest too… anyway, I’m doing God’s work, so ok lang naman siguro. Well, we see a big difference on how Jesus acted. Being the Son of God, He definitely is closer to God than any of us, yet that closeness, that relationship was not used as an excuse to pray a little less or to do other things. Kaya siguro lalo silang nagiging close ni God kasi ganun ang buhay nya. He gave priority to God – praying rather than sleeping… praying first thing in the morning. Ang galing, diba? Nakaka inspire.
As a result of that prayer life of Jesus, he was always on track, his life always in focus and always in the right perspective. When the disciples told him that everyone Is looking for him, he told them that they need to go to the other village. Why? Because he already did what he should, and needs to move on to the next town. Sabi nila, baka di sya paalisin and they may even make him their leader, because of his works and power. Kaya din ayaw bumalik ni Jesus, kasi hindi yun yung gusto ni God for him, and that may put the glory on Jesus, not on God. So there, Jesus was always in focus because of his prayer life and relationship with God.
Prayer will keep us on track like Jesus. In the first reading, we see the reminders of St Paul to new followers of Christ. Baby Christians, as some would call. Prayer helps a lot. It helps keep us on track, it helps us mature and build our own personal and intimate relationship with God.
During this pandemic, we know that a lot of people are worried and stressed. A lot are tired. Mental health is a big problem. I saw in the news yesterday that a lot of health workers are asking for professional mental health support. Aside from what doctors prescribe, it was also mentioned that prayers help. Faith help. During this time, the more we should pray and ask God for strength. Guidance. And call unto him.
During this pandemic, we know that a lot of people are worried and stressed. A lot are tired. Mental health is a big problem. I saw in the news yesterday that a lot of health workers are asking for professional mental health support. Aside from what doctors prescribe, it was also mentioned that prayers help. Faith help. During this time, the more we should pray and ask God for strength. Guidance. And call unto him.
How do I see prayer? Do I give prayer the time and effort it deserves? Do I spend quality and unhurried time for prayer? Is prayer useful in helping me build and strengthen my relationship with God? How can I pray more?
May we also aspire to have a prayer life as strong as Jesus. As we live our daily lives, may we not forget to put God above all things and to give him the best.
Father God,
Thank you for today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love and serve you. Thank you for the reminder. Lord, sorry for the times I do not give prayer due importance and priority. Sorry for making up excuses. Sorry for being complacent. Lord, help me build my faith and relationship with you. Help me live right. Give me the desire and the will to pray. May I always be ready and willing to do things for You. Amen.
Blessed Day!
In Christ,
-g-
Ps
See related reflection:
September 02, 2020
Wednesday of Week 22; Blessed John DuLau and the September Martyrs
FIRST READING
Brothers and sisters,
I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now, for you are still of the flesh. While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of man? Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?
What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
I could not talk to you as spiritual people, but as fleshly people, as infants in Christ. I fed you milk, not solid food, because you were unable to take it. Indeed, you are still not able, even now, for you are still of the flesh. While there is jealousy and rivalry among you, are you not of the flesh, and walking according to the manner of man? Whenever someone says, “I belong to Paul,” and another, “I belong to Apollos,” are you not merely men?
What is Apollos, after all, and what is Paul? Ministers through whom you became believers, just as the Lord assigned each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God caused the growth. Therefore, neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who causes the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive wages in proportion to his labor. For we are God’s co-workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
R. (12) Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
From his fixed throne he beholds all who dwell on the earth, He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Blessed the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he has chosen for his own inheritance. From heaven the LORD looks down; he sees all mankind.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
From his fixed throne he beholds all who dwell on the earth, He who fashioned the heart of each, he who knows all their works.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
Our soul waits for the LORD, who is our help and our shield, For in him our hearts rejoice; in his holy name we trust.
R. Blessed the people the Lord has chosen to be his own.
ALLELUIA
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
The Lord sent me to bring glad tidings to the poor and to proclaim liberty to captives.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.
GOSPEL
After Jesus left the synagogue, he entered the house of Simon. Simon’s mother-in-law was afflicted with a severe fever, and they interceded with him about her. He stood over her, rebuked the fever, and it left her. She got up immediately and waited on them.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
At sunset, all who had people sick with various diseases brought them to him. He laid his hands on each of them and cured them. And demons also came out from many, shouting, “You are the Son of God.” But he rebuked them and did not allow them to speak because they knew that he was the Christ.
At daybreak, Jesus left and went to a deserted place. The crowds went looking for him, and when they came to him, they tried to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, “To the other towns also I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God, because for this purpose I have been sent.” And he was preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
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