HOMILY FOR THURSDAY OF THE ELEVENTH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME, YEAR II. 18.06.2020.

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Readings: Sirach 48:1-14; Psalm 97 and Matthew 6:7-15. 


THE PATTERN OF ALL PRAYERS. 


This week, Clerics of the Catholic Church have been reflecting on the treatise of St. Cyprian on the Lord’s Prayer as contained in the Divine Office. Similarly, the liturgy of today calls us to reflect on this prayer taught by Christ himself as the pattern of all prayers after urging his disciples not to use empty phrases like the Gentiles do, for God knows what we need even before we ask him. 

 

The pattern of prayer Christ gave us is public prayer and is for all. When we pray, we pray not for single person but for the whole people, because we are all one. That is why we do not say 'My Father, who art in heaven', or 'Give me this day...' but 'Our Father..." An indication that we share in the sonship of Christ, the teacher of harmony, who taught unity and wants us to pray for one another. The singular pronoun is absent. Man enters the presence of the Father, and then prays as one of the great family. 

 

As the pattern of all prayers, it has a passion for God’s glory and agenda. It has passion for God’s name, his kingdom and God's will have the top priority. Everyone wants to guard their own name and reputation, but we must resist the tendency to protect and promote ourselves first and instead put God’s name, kingdom and will first. In this prayer, we acknowledge our dependence on God, for our basic needs: for food for the day, for forgiveness, for strength to go on living. It is a prayer for one day at a time, which enables us to fight against our greed. If everyone can take what he or she needs for the day, we will have more than enough. 

 

In recent time, Pope Francis has drawn our attention on the phrase, "Lead us not into temptation," which he considered as mistranslation of the English translation. Temptation literally means a 'test', not always a solicitation to do evil. God has promised to keep us from any testing that is greater than what we can handle (1 Cor 10:13). God, while he does not ‘tempt’ men to do evil (James 1:13), does allow his children to pass through periods of testing. However, being aware of our weaknesses, we should not desire these temptations or expose ourselves to it. We should consider this phrase as never to boast of our strength, never to desire trial, never to go into temptation nor lead others to it.

 

Dear friends in Christ, the Lord’s Prayer is powerful in its simplicity. I urge you all to reflect on it repeatedly in a slow manner. As you do so, may the heavenly Father accept your prayer intentions through Christ our Lord. Amen! Peace be with you! 

 

Fr. Ken Dogbo, OSJ


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