Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15
When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him.This, then, is how you should pray: Our Father in heaven, holy be your name, your kingdom, come, your will, be done on earth, as in heaven.Give us today, our daily bread. Forgive us our debts,as we forgive those who are in debt to us.Do not bring us to the test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your Father in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive others,then your Father will not forgive you.

Reflections
“When you pray, do not use a lot of words.”Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. When praying, they should not imitate the noisy style of the pagans who think God is insensitive to their needs.The Father listens to this kind of prayer, which we entitle, the “Lord’s Prayer.”We use this prayer in our devotions and Eucharistic celebrations.It is noteworthy to observe the center of the prayer. It is the petition of the daily wage earner who makes it possible to procure daily bread, or in old English, bread for the morrow (for tomorrow) for his family. When he is assured of the bread for the next day, it means he has a good sleep the night before. He does not worry about the food of his family next day when he leaves again for work.Another point to consider is the importance of forgiveness. The word “forgive” occurs two times in the prayer and four times in the paragraph after the prayer.
© Copyright Bible Diary 2019