Content and Intention

The WORD today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/102316.cfm) reminds me that God looks at the content and intention of our prayers. 

According to the Little Prince, what is essential is invisible to the eye. In a lot of times, if not all, this is true. There is more than what meets the eye. There is almost always something more, a deeper meaning and reason deeper than the surface level. There are people who seemingly say one thing but actually mean another. There are people who seem to proclaim and share their work for God but are actually looking for applause and building up themselves, not God. This is what happened to the story in the gospel. 

It is not enough that we pray. God looks at the content of our prayers, for the content tells God the state of our hearts. 

The Pharisee prayed, but the focus was not on God. The focus was on himself - how he thinks he is a good person, a God fearing person that people should look up to. He was boasting of how advanced his state is compared to others. And God did not like that. On the other hand, the sinful man had a short prayer. Short but sincere, humble and repentant. Simple, but deep because it was from the heart. the focus was on God. he knows how small he is compared to God's greatness, and  because he knows and hopes God will forgive him. 

Our prayers tell God the state of our hearts. 

When we are like the Pharisee, focusing on ourselves and how great a servant of God we are, then we are not praying. We are boasting and telling God how great we are. We are not focusing on God, but on ourselves. We do not ask God to fill us up, but are telling God we are doing well and must be emulated by others. However, if we are repentant like the tax collector, then God sees how serious, repentant and humble we are. And will help us improve and become more like him. 

It is not enough that we merely pray. We should pray with pure intentions. We should pray with a pure heart. We should pray having faith and humility. May we not be contented by merely praying, but examine our prayers and see if we are focusing on God or on ourselves. 

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 another Sunday. Lord, sorry for the times I don't pray. And sorry for the many times I am not able to pray properly. Sorry for having the focus on myself and not on you. I ask that you help me be more aware of my prayers. Help me be sensitive of my prayers. Disturb me and make me aware if my prayers are focusing on myself, and not on you. Help me have a humble and contrite heart, and as I come to you, I ask that you not only forgive me, but fill me and make me more like you. Amen. 

Blessed Sunday!

In Christ,

-g-

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October 23, 2016
Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Lectionary: 150

Reading 1 Sir 35:12-14, 16-18

The LORD is a God of justice,
who knows no favorites.
Though not unduly partial toward the weak,
yet he hears the cry of the oppressed.
The Lord is not deaf to the wail of the orphan,
nor to the widow when she pours out her complaint.
The one who serves God willingly is heard;
his petition reaches the heavens.
The prayer of the lowly pierces the clouds;
it does not rest till it reaches its goal,
nor will it withdraw till the Most High responds,
judges justly and affirms the right,
and the Lord will not delay.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 34:2-3, 17-18, 19, 23

R. (7a) The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD confronts the evildoers,
to destroy remembrance of them from the earth.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears them,
and from all their distress he rescues them.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted;
and those who are crushed in spirit he saves.
The LORD redeems the lives of his servants;
no one incurs guilt who takes refuge in him.
R. The Lord hears the cry of the poor.

Reading 2 2 Tm 4:6-8, 16-18

Beloved:
I am already being poured out like a libation,
and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have competed well; I have finished the race;
I have kept the faith.
From now on the crown of righteousness awaits me,
which the Lord, the just judge,
will award to me on that day, and not only to me,
but to all who have longed for his appearance.

At my first defense no one appeared on my behalf,
but everyone deserted me.
May it not be held against them!
But the Lord stood by me and gave me strength,
so that through me the proclamation might be completed
and all the Gentiles might hear it.
And I was rescued from the lion's mouth.
The Lord will rescue me from every evil threat
and will bring me safe to his heavenly kingdom.
To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Alleluia 2 Cor 5:19

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
and entrusting to us the message of salvation.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel Lk 18:9-14

Jesus addressed this parable
to those who were convinced of their own righteousness
and despised everyone else.
“Two people went up to the temple area to pray;
one was a Pharisee and the other was a tax collector.
The Pharisee took up his position and spoke this prayer to himself,
‘O God, I thank you that I am not like the rest of humanity --
greedy, dishonest, adulterous -- or even like this tax collector.
I fast twice a week, and I pay tithes on my whole income.’
But the tax collector stood off at a distance
and would not even raise his eyes to heaven
but beat his breast and prayed,
‘O God, be merciful to me a sinner.’
I tell you, the latter went home justified, not the former;
for whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”