The Gospel
Matthew 7:7-12
Everyone who asks, receives.
St. Gaspar
"Therefore, I prefer to pray than to speak"[1]
"The basic consideration is that in aspiring toward God, with whatever inner groaning there may be, in being convinced of the divine presence, the substantial nature of prayer is not lost. What is necessary is that we maintain the intention of serving God without becoming discouraged." [2]
Reflection
Through the Season of Lent the readings take us progressively deeper into the disciplines of the Christian life - fasting, almsgiving and prayer. In Tuesday's gospel, Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Today he encourages them to ask, to seek, to knock, whenever they are in need.
The example is in the prayer of Queen Esther some 400 years before Christ. She experienced her people in grave danger and took to prayer and petition. The story of Esther is the sign that God continually watches over his people and never abandons them.
St. Gaspar likewise teaches us an important lesson. In our greatest struggle or sorrow, incapable of great and fancy prayers, a deep sigh may be all we can muster. He insists that this too is prayer, as long as one is certain that God is present. Faith here is learning how to walk in the dark, convinced that God is still present and maintaining our intention to serve him. Faith here is joining our sorrows with the sorrows of the head, of living with Jesus in the garden or under arrest, or carrying the cross, or suffering the pain of death. A sigh of resignation may not be enough. The sigh, knowing that this is where God lives, and that this is the pain and suffering with which Jesus identifies, is the essential nature of prayer.
Prayer is a way of intimacy with God. The trials and traumas of life often lead us to believe that God has abandoned us. Gaspar invites us during these times to refrain from discouragement with the faith that death has no power over us,
[1] from letter 867 to Msgr. Bellisario Cristaldi, April 9, 1824, Resources -8, pg. 34
[2] from letter 911 to Mr. Giovanni Francesco Palmucci, June 24, 1824, Resources - 8, pg. 34
Matthew 7:7-12
Everyone who asks, receives.
St. Gaspar
"Therefore, I prefer to pray than to speak"[1]
"The basic consideration is that in aspiring toward God, with whatever inner groaning there may be, in being convinced of the divine presence, the substantial nature of prayer is not lost. What is necessary is that we maintain the intention of serving God without becoming discouraged." [2]
Reflection
Through the Season of Lent the readings take us progressively deeper into the disciplines of the Christian life - fasting, almsgiving and prayer. In Tuesday's gospel, Jesus taught his disciples to pray. Today he encourages them to ask, to seek, to knock, whenever they are in need.
The example is in the prayer of Queen Esther some 400 years before Christ. She experienced her people in grave danger and took to prayer and petition. The story of Esther is the sign that God continually watches over his people and never abandons them.
St. Gaspar likewise teaches us an important lesson. In our greatest struggle or sorrow, incapable of great and fancy prayers, a deep sigh may be all we can muster. He insists that this too is prayer, as long as one is certain that God is present. Faith here is learning how to walk in the dark, convinced that God is still present and maintaining our intention to serve him. Faith here is joining our sorrows with the sorrows of the head, of living with Jesus in the garden or under arrest, or carrying the cross, or suffering the pain of death. A sigh of resignation may not be enough. The sigh, knowing that this is where God lives, and that this is the pain and suffering with which Jesus identifies, is the essential nature of prayer.
Prayer is a way of intimacy with God. The trials and traumas of life often lead us to believe that God has abandoned us. Gaspar invites us during these times to refrain from discouragement with the faith that death has no power over us,
- When have I experienced my greatest need, and how has God provided for me?
- What is the deep desire I have failed to ask of God?
- Who is most in need of our prayers, and what are we willing to do about it?
[1] from letter 867 to Msgr. Bellisario Cristaldi, April 9, 1824, Resources -8, pg. 34
[2] from letter 911 to Mr. Giovanni Francesco Palmucci, June 24, 1824, Resources - 8, pg. 34
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