1st Reading: Sir 48:1-14
Responsorial Psalm: Ps 97:1-7
Gospel: Mt 6:7-15
Elijah was able to do wonderful things because of his trust inside of the Lord. His trust in God through prayer made Elijah into an unmovable object. No matter what he would have to endure in his ministry he would always draw upon the strength of the Lord. Elijah was able to bring the dead back to life only because he trusted in his relationship with God. There is nothing that Elijah could not do because of his great trust that he continually placed in the Lord. When we pray the "Our Father" we should place this same unmoving trust inside of the Lord that allowed Elijah to do such wondrous deeds.
The words of the "Our Father" we all know by heart. We pray this prayer each time that we gather together for the Mass, say the Rosary, or pray in the silence of our own homes. The "Our Father" is the perfect prayer that was given to us by Jesus Christ. This prayer contains prayers of intercession, asks for forgiveness of our sins, and for our ability to forgive those who have sinned against us. Each time that we pray this prayer we should not be rattling off words, but should be placing our minds and hearts fully into the prayer. When we allow ourselves to enter fully into this prayer we will become unmovable objects in the faith like Elijah.
Today we are kicking off an endeavor of prayer known as "Forenight for Freedom" throughout this diocese and in the United States. This parish will begin today with a Holy Hour from 3pm-4pm, so that we can gather as a parish community and pray for continued religious freedom within this country. Time spent in prayer before the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar is the perfect way for us to begin this event. It is perfect because prayer is the way that we can conquer all things and must draw our strength. I invite each of you to join us for this occasion of prayer, so that we can rejoice in the Lord who is just.
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