20:19
pray well. 3rd Sunday after Epiphany—HOW AND WHEN TO PRAY "Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." St. Matthew. 8:2. We all remember General U. S. Grant, head of the Union forces during the …More
pray well.
3rd Sunday after Epiphany—HOW AND WHEN TO PRAY
"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." St. Matthew. 8:2.
We all remember General U. S. Grant, head of the Union forces during the Civil War. He was a rugged, able leader. When he was fighting his last battle at Mount McGregor, a dying battle against cancer, one of his generals, O. O. Howard, called on him. Howard was known as "The Christian General." For some time he spoke of Grant's distinguished service to the nation—how he had planned the campaign and had carried it through so brilliantly. Grant listened for a time. Finally he interrupted his visitor with this earnest request: "Howard, tell me something more about prayer."
Picture that rough and bearded veteran facing death and asking his friend to tell him more about prayer. That request of Grant was an echo of the request the Apostles themselves made to Jesus:
"Lord, teach us to pray." St. Luke, 11:1.
It was an echo of the desire in the heart of every Catholic, a deep fervent desire to learn how and when to pray, our subject for today. The Gospel tells us today of two ideal prayers, first that of the leper who worshipped Christ saying:
"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
The leper's prayer was answered. Next came a centurion or Roman officer who begged our Lord to heal one of his servants. That prayer also Jesus answered. The leper and the centurion teach us how to pray.
1. We should pray with attention, that is, we should know and mean what we are saying. We cannot imagine either the leper or the officer looking about or turning away from Christ as they uttered their prayers. They were intent and attentive; they looked straight at Christ; they meant every word they were saying.
2. We should pray with fervor and devotion, that is, with affection in our hearts, with respect and with determination.
3. Our prayer must be humble. The centurion's prayer was humble. He considered himself unworthy to have the Lord come under his roof. As the Bible tells us:
"The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds." Ecclus. 35:21.
"A contrite and humble heart Thou wilt not despise." Ps. 50:19.
4. We must pray confidently, namely, with trust in the goodness and power of God. Don't you think that leper had trust in God's power and love? He just knew that Christ could heal him. What confidence! Pray like that and your prayer will be answered.
5. There must be resignation in our prayer. Confident as we may be, we don't demand anything from the Lord. We don't ask as if He had to grant our request.
6. Perseverance is another mark of true prayer. If God does not answer your first or hundredth request, don't be discouraged. Continue to ask. The Bible and history are filled with examples of those who continued asking for years to have their petition finally granted.
7. Our prayer should have some special intention or object. Too often we pray without any definite desire in mind. Not so the leper or the Roman officer. Both wanted something very definite. Their prayers expressed it. Notice also that they worshipped Christ, they praised Christ by their words and by their actions. It was not all asking. There was adoration too.
When should we pray? In answer to that question I would quote you the answer of St. Paul:
"Pray without ceasing." I Thess. 5:16.
Does that mean we must go about with a rosary or prayerbook in our hand all the time? Not at all. But we must always have the spirit of prayer; everything we do and say should be a prayer. However, there are times when we ought to stop to pray:
1. Every morning we ought to say some prayer, however brief. Don't tell me you have no time. It takes but a minute or two to say an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and to offer the day to God. You can, you must do that at least.
2. In the evening thank God for the blessings of the day and beg His pardon for your sins.
3. We should pray at meals, especially when we know there are millions who have little or nothing to eat. We are usually so busy through the day that we say hardly a prayer. Pause to pray at least at meals.
4. We should pray on the Lord's day and on holy days. Then God wants special attention. Outside of Mass, how many of you think of God on Sunday? It is His day, don't forget.
5. In danger our thoughts turn to God naturally. Be sure to pray then. Also, pray for light and guidance in your problems, no matter how difficult and impossible of solution they may seem.
6. It goes without saying that we should pray when tempted. Yet, how many throw away their best weapon—prayer—just when they need it the most, that is, at the moment of temptation. Try it.
7. In pains and weariness be sure to lift up your thoughts to the God of all comfort.
During this holy Mass start praying as you should. Say some of the Mass prayers with attention and devotion and humility and confidence. They are official, powerful prayers.
Then, in between, imitate the leper and the officer. Express some need of your soul or body, of your profession or family, of your home or country, in your own words.
Just as General Grant asked General Howard to tell him more about prayer, and as the Apostles asked our Lord to teach them to pray, so you and I this morning will ask our Lord Himself here upon the altar to teach us to pray. Amen
3rd Sunday after Epiphany—HOW AND WHEN TO PRAY
"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean." St. Matthew. 8:2.
We all remember General U. S. Grant, head of the Union forces during the Civil War. He was a rugged, able leader. When he was fighting his last battle at Mount McGregor, a dying battle against cancer, one of his generals, O. O. Howard, called on him. Howard was known as "The Christian General." For some time he spoke of Grant's distinguished service to the nation—how he had planned the campaign and had carried it through so brilliantly. Grant listened for a time. Finally he interrupted his visitor with this earnest request: "Howard, tell me something more about prayer."
Picture that rough and bearded veteran facing death and asking his friend to tell him more about prayer. That request of Grant was an echo of the request the Apostles themselves made to Jesus:
"Lord, teach us to pray." St. Luke, 11:1.
It was an echo of the desire in the heart of every Catholic, a deep fervent desire to learn how and when to pray, our subject for today. The Gospel tells us today of two ideal prayers, first that of the leper who worshipped Christ saying:
"Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean."
The leper's prayer was answered. Next came a centurion or Roman officer who begged our Lord to heal one of his servants. That prayer also Jesus answered. The leper and the centurion teach us how to pray.
1. We should pray with attention, that is, we should know and mean what we are saying. We cannot imagine either the leper or the officer looking about or turning away from Christ as they uttered their prayers. They were intent and attentive; they looked straight at Christ; they meant every word they were saying.
2. We should pray with fervor and devotion, that is, with affection in our hearts, with respect and with determination.
3. Our prayer must be humble. The centurion's prayer was humble. He considered himself unworthy to have the Lord come under his roof. As the Bible tells us:
"The prayer of him that humbleth himself shall pierce the clouds." Ecclus. 35:21.
"A contrite and humble heart Thou wilt not despise." Ps. 50:19.
4. We must pray confidently, namely, with trust in the goodness and power of God. Don't you think that leper had trust in God's power and love? He just knew that Christ could heal him. What confidence! Pray like that and your prayer will be answered.
5. There must be resignation in our prayer. Confident as we may be, we don't demand anything from the Lord. We don't ask as if He had to grant our request.
6. Perseverance is another mark of true prayer. If God does not answer your first or hundredth request, don't be discouraged. Continue to ask. The Bible and history are filled with examples of those who continued asking for years to have their petition finally granted.
7. Our prayer should have some special intention or object. Too often we pray without any definite desire in mind. Not so the leper or the Roman officer. Both wanted something very definite. Their prayers expressed it. Notice also that they worshipped Christ, they praised Christ by their words and by their actions. It was not all asking. There was adoration too.
When should we pray? In answer to that question I would quote you the answer of St. Paul:
"Pray without ceasing." I Thess. 5:16.
Does that mean we must go about with a rosary or prayerbook in our hand all the time? Not at all. But we must always have the spirit of prayer; everything we do and say should be a prayer. However, there are times when we ought to stop to pray:
1. Every morning we ought to say some prayer, however brief. Don't tell me you have no time. It takes but a minute or two to say an Our Father, a Hail Mary, and to offer the day to God. You can, you must do that at least.
2. In the evening thank God for the blessings of the day and beg His pardon for your sins.
3. We should pray at meals, especially when we know there are millions who have little or nothing to eat. We are usually so busy through the day that we say hardly a prayer. Pause to pray at least at meals.
4. We should pray on the Lord's day and on holy days. Then God wants special attention. Outside of Mass, how many of you think of God on Sunday? It is His day, don't forget.
5. In danger our thoughts turn to God naturally. Be sure to pray then. Also, pray for light and guidance in your problems, no matter how difficult and impossible of solution they may seem.
6. It goes without saying that we should pray when tempted. Yet, how many throw away their best weapon—prayer—just when they need it the most, that is, at the moment of temptation. Try it.
7. In pains and weariness be sure to lift up your thoughts to the God of all comfort.
During this holy Mass start praying as you should. Say some of the Mass prayers with attention and devotion and humility and confidence. They are official, powerful prayers.
Then, in between, imitate the leper and the officer. Express some need of your soul or body, of your profession or family, of your home or country, in your own words.
Just as General Grant asked General Howard to tell him more about prayer, and as the Apostles asked our Lord to teach them to pray, so you and I this morning will ask our Lord Himself here upon the altar to teach us to pray. Amen