Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, today, we draw from two profound readings: the letter of St. Paul to the Galatians and a passage from the Gospel of Luke. Both texts invite us to reflect on the deep, personal nature of prayer and the dynamic journey of faith—both of which are great gifts from our Heavenly Father.
In the first reading from Galatians, St. Paul is recounting his journey to Jerusalem after fourteen years of evangelizing the Gentiles. This visit was significant not only because it represented a pivotal moment in the early Church's development, but also because it underscored the growing tension regarding the inclusion of Gentiles in the Christian faith. Historically, the early Church was rooted in Judaism, and the initial followers of Jesus were Jewish. The question of whether Gentiles needed to adopt Jewish customs and practices to be true followers of Christ was a contentious one.
Paul's mission to the Gentiles posed a radical shift in understanding the Gospel. He presents his preaching to the apostles—Peter, James, and John—to ensure that he is not spreading information that is at odds with what they
themselves learned from Jesus, and the deeds they saw with their own eyes. Recognizing the grace given to him, they affirm Paul and Barnabas, giving them the right hand of fellowship to minister to the Gentiles. However, the narrative takes a turn when Peter (Cephas) visits Antioch and, fearing criticism from Jewish Christians, withdraws from eating with the Gentiles. Paul catches wind of this and enters into not just a theological debate but a real struggle for authentic community and acceptance within the body of Christ, with Peter. It is beautiful how already the Holy Spirit is working through dialogue among the top leaders and shepherds of the emerging Church our Lord founded on Peter and his declaration of faith.
In our Gospel from Luke, the disciples witness Jesus praying—a practice intrinsic to his ministry and life. It is in this moment of prayer that they seek to understand how to relate with God, prompting the request, “Lord, teach us to pray.” It would seem that he had impressed upon them the importance of prayer, but had not yet given them a clear indication as to how to go about doing so. Jesus responds with what we now know as the Lord’s Prayer, a prayer filled with profound simplicity and depth. It encapsulates our relationship with God—acknowledging God's holiness, seeking His Kingdom, and recognizing our daily needs for sustenance and forgiveness.
As we reflect on these passages, we are called to consider our own prayer life and the personal styles we adopt. As I alluded to in yesterday’s homily on the Holy Rosary, the establishment of prayer forms and communal prayers within the Church—the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, and various devotions (like the Rosary)—provide us with a structure that fosters a communal relationship with God. However, they also invite us to explore and develop our own styles of prayer. What we learn from the first reading however, is that our style of prayer should never be one which the Church finds questionable. Paul kept himself in check by consulting and seeking the approval of the legitimate authority Christ had given him, both in Scripture and through the Apostolic and Teaching Magisterium of the Church. Hence, to get right to the point, we need to be careful of forms of prayer that stem from or enter the domain of new age spirituality, and repetitive mantras which our Lord warned us about.
An orthodox style of prayer, on the other hand, does not negate the rich traditions established by the Church; rather, it enriches them. We are invited to go beyond reciting established prayers to experience the heart of what prayer truly is—a dialogue with our Creator, however there are some prayers given to us, like the Our Father in today’s gospel, and the Hail Mary which is also biblical, that are conducive to this and remain mainstays of solid spirituality especially when they form part of what we have come to know the Rosary which helps us delve deep into the mystery of Christ in such a practical and simple way. Perhaps, it is a matter of learning to master this prayer with the heart, rather than mechanically with the lips that will be the challenge for us, yet an endeavour which will leave spiritual fruit beyond our comprehension. We can incorporate personal elements such as Scripture meditation, contemplative silence, spontaneous prayer, or even journaling during the Rosary for example. Why not? When you’re on your own, be creative within the parameters of what will still be deemed orthodox and sound practice in the eyes of the shepherds of the Church. All of it is meant to help us delve deeper into our unique relationship with God.
May the Lord who has expressed not only the importance but the necessity of prayer as “the one thing necessary” in our walk of faith, remind us of the love of the Father for us always, giving us the grace to never forget the extent to which his love allowed his heart to be poured out upon his creation. May we never tire of loving, thanking and serving our Heavenly Father, discerning and living his will, so that his kingdom may be truly built on earth. And as you go your way today and continue on your own journey, with your brothers and sisters, but also accompanied by your Guardian Angel, may the Lord bless you through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Queen of Angels and our Mother: in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen. Go in peace. Thanks be to God.
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