St Luke takes us by the hand and leads to Christ, eternal truth. We see Jesus in the beauty, the majesty, and the power of prayer. We experience the compelling power of truth. With the eager disciples we cry aloud: "Lord, teach us how to pray!" The divine Master responds in love and gives to us our prayer for all seasons. We may recall Holy Land visits as we stood where Jesus taught. We reflected on the Pater Noster inscribed before us in many languages. "The voice of prayer is never silent . . . nor dies the sound of praise away."
We pray in reverence, united with all people calling on the sacred name of God. We ask for grace to make His Kingdom of justice, love and peace a living reality in the place where we live. This we do as we work and respond in generous fidelity to His call. "All who do my will are the ones who love me." Conscience and Scripture guide us safely. We have ears to hear. We ask in faith for every need, mindful that for many the daily bread must come through us, to whom God has given such plenty. All we have is on loan and our tenure of gifts is brief. Daily we call for much needed mercy and pardon for sins, offences and neglect. How do we forgive? Let us reflect often and deeply on the tiny word as: "Forgive me, Lord, as . . . " If we accept his call in love we will be made clean and kept from test and trial too severe for our fragile heart and will.
Jesus gives a homely parable. An unexpected guest arrives at midnight hour to a house without supplies of food. The host goes at once to a friendly neighbour to ask for three loaves of bread on loan so that his weary guest may not go hungry to bed. All doors are bolted fast. Children are sound asleep. Could one be expected to disturb the stillness of the night? The anxious borrower feels his need is urgent. Fully aware of his friends' generous goodness, he persists. Perseverance wins not only the day, but now the night. We are given the lesson of endless love answering faithful prayer. We ask in faith and miracles occur. Our seeking ends in joyful finding. The knocking of heartfelt prayer opens every door.
We ask not to drink from poisoned wells that sicken body, mind and heart. Strident siren voices beckon to deadly substitutes instead of life-sustaining foods. Stones in the waste lands of life can never take the place of daily bread. How dreadful to hand to our children an example and a way of life akin to serving poisonous snakes and deadly scorpions instead of nourishing fish and health-giving eggs. We wish to lead them always to living waters and to the Bread of Life, as we guide them, by example, to all that is beautiful and good and true. The Holy Spirit has been given to each one of us. We go forward with courage high and hope made new. Jesus leads us in our daily prayer.
"Merciful loving Father, giver of every good gift, increase your grace within us so that, supported always by the prayers of Mary, Mother of Christ, we may walk in joy and hope, give a loving generous service to You and to our neighbour and so, made clean from every sin, come to eternal Life. We make our prayer through Christ Our Lord. Amen."
Lord, teach us how to Pray!
F.MacN