From the Gospel according to Matthew 6:7–15

Jesus said to his disciples:
“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 others their transgressions,
your heavenly Father will forgive you.
But if you do not forgive others,
neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

Pray Like This

Prayer is essential for a Christian. It is the means by which we speak personally with God, sharing with Him the things of our heart as we would with a friend who always listens and gradually gives us light, insight, and the means to become better in every aspect of our lives.

God already knows everything about you and loves you more than anyone else ever could. Yet it is still necessary to tell Him what is in your heart and to share your life with Him.

At times, prayer may seem difficult because we do not know how to pray or what to say. We can even make it far more complicated than it needs to be. But in today’s Gospel, the Lord shows us how to pray: do not use endless words. Simply open your heart and tell Him what is there, with simplicity and sincerity, without fear. He Himself will enlighten your heart.

He also teaches us the Our Father, a prayer that helps us gradually open our hearts and ask God for what we truly need.

Prayer draws us closer to God, who is the source of all love. There He reveals how deeply He loves us and how, despite all our failings, He always forgives us. In turn, He helps us realise that we too must always forgive. The more we love, the easier it becomes to forgive.

We must remember that forgiveness is ultimately a matter of love, just as it is with our Heavenly Father.

Brought into Married Life

(Paula and James are going through a particularly stressful period because they are having their home renovated to make it more suitable for family life.)

James: It’s always the same. I can’t say anything without you snapping at me. You always seem to think you’re right, and whenever something is pointed out, you defend yourself by hurting others.

Paula: That’s rich coming from you! Nothing can be said to you either. Everything seems to annoy you, and you get upset about the smallest thing. How am I not supposed to defend myself?

James: For you, it’s all about defending yourself and making demands. You’re always telling me what I’m doing wrong and forgetting the most important thing: us.

Paula: Don’t get me wrong. It isn’t easy for me either, seeing you so negative all the time and feeling as though I can’t say anything without it turning into an argument.

James: You may have a point there. I’m feeling overwhelmed by this whole renovation. I’m exhausted from chasing everyone to get the work finished. In the end, I take all that frustration out on you.

Paula: Forgive me. I so often take my frustrations out on you and push you to your limit. You’re carrying such a heavy load at the moment—with work, your mother, and now this renovation. It certainly doesn’t help when I oppose everything you suggest, only to realise later that you’re trying to do what’s best for us.

James: Right now, I need more than an apology. Things haven’t been easy for me, and what I really need is a bit of support and understanding.

Paula: James, I love you very much, and I always will. That’s why, when I realise I’ve been wrong, the first thing I want to do is ask your forgiveness. It’s the best way I know to strengthen my love for you.

James: There’s nothing to forgive. If anything, I’m the one who loses his temper too easily and responds with anger. I’m the one who should be asking for forgiveness. You are always quick to apologise, and yet I only think, “Here we go again,” instead of truly forgiving and letting it go.

Mother,

Help us to become souls of prayer, so that we may come to know the love of God and imitate it by forgiving everything, just as He forgives us.

Blessed be God.