The Gospel
Matt 6:7-15
Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.
St. Gaspar
"The more one prays, the more good can be done."[1]
"Let us develop everything by the use of prayer."[2]
“Prayer and confidence in God’s goodness must be the anchor of our salvation and the Lord’s peace must always abound in our souls.” [3]
“Especially let us be strong in mental prayer, the food and life of the soul. May our lives be holy and productive of holiness.” [4]
Here, then, is the method which I would like to have you adopt:
1. After the noon meal, no application of the mind. Rather, a visit to the church, a bit of a walk into the countryside at a scheduled time, and a few soft, ejaculatory prayers will be sufficient, or, a brief glance into your relationship with God as seen through all things. It will be useful for you to sing the praises of the things of God, as found, for example, in the Psalms etc.; but also, a bit of the customary repose, since you are obliged likewise to preserve your health.
2. Meditations made from books are no longer your thing, but, rather, at an opportune time in the morning to place yourself in a state of silence. Do nothing, but only listen to the voice of God. You might say: "Lord, here I am at your beck and call." Allow your heart to speak with God, uttering its deep affection; do not get into reflective thoughts, except those that God himself arouses; rather, say: Lord speak to your servant ... oh would that I had always loved you." Then, look with tender glances at the crucifix and be filled with sentiments of confidence and trust in the Lord.
3. Offer only a few vocal prayers. Maintain a continuous realization of the presence of God; utter continual stream of aspirations as an incessant plea in the presence of God.
4. However, be occupied also in external works ... the Oratory ... the sick. All of this, of course, depending on your strength. Try this method for a bit, and you will begin to see the effects.[5]
Reflection
The Lord teaches his disciples to pray. Prayer is so central to this intimate relationship. This prayer he teaches is so simple, we learn this as children. It is so complete, the ancients call it the summary of the whole gospel and use it as an outline for their treatises on Prayer. So direct and intimate it is addressed to "Abba". How comfortable are we to call God, “daddy”? Sometimes we seem to have trouble using such familial terms with God so we resort to the more proper and formal "Father". Jesus rests easily and trustfully in that intimate communion with his Father, and he, in this prayer, gives us too the capacity for God. We can scarcely contain the whole world, yet we have been given the privilege of being home for God. This intimate communion with God and the realization of his mercy leads us to forgiveness of others and communion with all. For St. Gaspar prayer was the key to everything, to heaven itself. It was the anchor.[6]. It would accomplish everything and nothing could be accomplished without it.
[1] May 12, 1821, letter 424, to Fr. Giovanni Caroni, Resources - 4, pg. 15
[2] September 5, 1821, letter 467, to Fr. Adriano Maria Tarulli, Resources -4 , pg. 16
[3] from Letter No. 110 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, October 22, 1814
[4] from Letter No. 183 to Fr. Angelo Antonini, November 7, 1818
[5] (to Mr. Giovanni Francesco Palmucci, June 28, 1826, letter 1451)
[6] See page 15 of SPI
Matt 6:7-15
Jesus teaches his disciples to pray.
St. Gaspar
"The more one prays, the more good can be done."[1]
"Let us develop everything by the use of prayer."[2]
“Prayer and confidence in God’s goodness must be the anchor of our salvation and the Lord’s peace must always abound in our souls.” [3]
“Especially let us be strong in mental prayer, the food and life of the soul. May our lives be holy and productive of holiness.” [4]
Here, then, is the method which I would like to have you adopt:
1. After the noon meal, no application of the mind. Rather, a visit to the church, a bit of a walk into the countryside at a scheduled time, and a few soft, ejaculatory prayers will be sufficient, or, a brief glance into your relationship with God as seen through all things. It will be useful for you to sing the praises of the things of God, as found, for example, in the Psalms etc.; but also, a bit of the customary repose, since you are obliged likewise to preserve your health.
2. Meditations made from books are no longer your thing, but, rather, at an opportune time in the morning to place yourself in a state of silence. Do nothing, but only listen to the voice of God. You might say: "Lord, here I am at your beck and call." Allow your heart to speak with God, uttering its deep affection; do not get into reflective thoughts, except those that God himself arouses; rather, say: Lord speak to your servant ... oh would that I had always loved you." Then, look with tender glances at the crucifix and be filled with sentiments of confidence and trust in the Lord.
3. Offer only a few vocal prayers. Maintain a continuous realization of the presence of God; utter continual stream of aspirations as an incessant plea in the presence of God.
4. However, be occupied also in external works ... the Oratory ... the sick. All of this, of course, depending on your strength. Try this method for a bit, and you will begin to see the effects.[5]
Reflection
The Lord teaches his disciples to pray. Prayer is so central to this intimate relationship. This prayer he teaches is so simple, we learn this as children. It is so complete, the ancients call it the summary of the whole gospel and use it as an outline for their treatises on Prayer. So direct and intimate it is addressed to "Abba". How comfortable are we to call God, “daddy”? Sometimes we seem to have trouble using such familial terms with God so we resort to the more proper and formal "Father". Jesus rests easily and trustfully in that intimate communion with his Father, and he, in this prayer, gives us too the capacity for God. We can scarcely contain the whole world, yet we have been given the privilege of being home for God. This intimate communion with God and the realization of his mercy leads us to forgiveness of others and communion with all. For St. Gaspar prayer was the key to everything, to heaven itself. It was the anchor.[6]. It would accomplish everything and nothing could be accomplished without it.
- Describe how it feels to be able to speak with God as with a friend?
- What do I want to accomplish this week? How have I made prayer part of the plans?
- How do I hear the call to service and forgiveness in this prayer?
[1] May 12, 1821, letter 424, to Fr. Giovanni Caroni, Resources - 4, pg. 15
[2] September 5, 1821, letter 467, to Fr. Adriano Maria Tarulli, Resources -4 , pg. 16
[3] from Letter No. 110 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, October 22, 1814
[4] from Letter No. 183 to Fr. Angelo Antonini, November 7, 1818
[5] (to Mr. Giovanni Francesco Palmucci, June 28, 1826, letter 1451)
[6] See page 15 of SPI
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