The WORD
today (see http://usccb.org/bible/readings/030717.cfm)
reminds me how to pray, and how powerful and complete the Lord's prayer
is.
The first reading reminds us
how powerful God’s word is. His word accomplishes the mission God wants for it,
and the gospel shows us Jesus teaching us how to pray. It is a simple prayer,
one of the first prayers we usually memorize. Unfortunately, because we have
known this prayer since we were kids, we sometimes fail to see the beauty and
depth of this prayer who Jesus himself taught us.
Sharing with you a way I
learned how to see this prayer in a different light – with a foundation verse
and some things to ponder upon as we pray each part of it.
Our Father who art in heaven, hollowed by thy name
So the LORD passed before him and proclaimed: The LORD, the LORD, a
God gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love and fidelity,
continuing his love for a thousand generations, and forgiving wickedness,
rebellion, and sin; yet not declaring the guilty guiltless, but bringing
punishment for their parents’ wickedness on children and children’s children to
the third and fourth generation! (Exodus 34: 6-7 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/exodus/34)
--- We remember our God. We remember what our God is
like. We remember what God has done for us. We remember how blessed we are
having such a great God. We are blessed that we can call him our God, our
Father. We should be thankful and be full of awe as we pray, as we worship our
God.
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven
But seek first
the kingdom (of God) and his righteousness, and all these things will be given
you besides (Matthew 6:33 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/matthew/6)
--- Out
of love for him, we pray that we would have the heart to seek and obey God’s
will in our lives. We pray for faith, knowing that as we seek His will, he will
bless us and give us the things that we need in this world, as we serve and
glorify him with our lives. We also pray for others, that they also seek and
obey God's will in their lives.
Give us this day
our daily bread
so you might
know that it is not by bread alone* that people live, but by all that comes
forth from the mouth of the LORD. (Deuteronomy 8:3b –http://www.usccb.org/bible/deuteronomy/8)
--- We pray to God daily to sustain us, not just physically, but
more importantly, spiritually. We remember that in this life, we need more than
just physical food. Yes, man does not live on bread alone, but on every word
that comes forth from the mouth of God. We ask for spiritual nourishment as
well. We need his word, we need to get to know him more, so we would be able to
truly live, to truly serve and glorify Him.
And forgive us
our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us
If we
acknowledge our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive our sins and
cleanse us from every wrongdoing. (1 John 1:9 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/1john/1)
--- The gospel says we should forgive so we would be
forgiven. We also pray for humility that we would recognize our sins. We are
far from perfect, and we ask God for forgiveness. We humbly come to him for
forgiveness. We have faith that as we do, God forgives us and cleanses us. We
also pray that we would feel God’s love and be moved to forgive others who have
wronged us. We also pray for those who have sinned against us, that as we
forgive them and as God changes us, they also welcome God and allow Him to
change their lives.
And lead us
not into temptation, but deliver us from evil
No trial has
come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried
beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so
that you may be able to bear it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 -http://www.usccb.org/bible/1corinthians/10)
--- In
faith, we call on Him to save and protect us. We have faith that he will not
give us what we can’t bear. We have faith that God will be with us as we fight
our battles, as we win over the enemy. We also pray for others who are
undergoing challenges, that they may remain faithful to God, and realize that
God will always be with us as we become victorious in Him.
May we see the Lord’s prayer in
a new perspective and make it our own, personal prayer.
Am I taking enough time for
prayer? Do I know how important prayer is? What is God telling me today about
my prayer life?
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another day to
experience your love. Thank you for reminding me how important and powerful
prayer is. Thank you for the Lord’s prayer that is a simple, yet complete
prayer. Sorry for taking this for granted. Sorry for not going deep and
understanding the prayer. Sorry for not having a heart for prayer. Help me look
past the normalcy of this prayer and make me see the beauty and completeness of
this. Help me make this my own personal prayer to tell you how much I love you,
how much I am sorry for my sins, how I long for you, how I praise you, and how
I surrender my life to you. Amen.
March 7, 2017
Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
Lectionary: 225
Reading 1 Is 55:10-11
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
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
but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.
Gospel Mt 6:7-15
"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."
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