May the Lord continue to bless with peace and grace in the Holy Spirit.
It is 16th June 2022. We reflect on Sirach 48:1-14 and Matthew 6:7-13.
Good actions never die even after the departure of a person for good from this life. The first reading hails the prophet Elijah for all that he was to people and God. “In his life he did wonders, and in death his deeds were marvellous.”
What we all experience in our life is that nobody speaks well of a person while the person is living. Our good actions do not need any appreciation at all. Yes, we all need to do good but beware of those who abuse our benevolence and generosity.
It is indeed the same way with our prayer life too. There is no need for recognition and applause for we pray. Our prayer helps us to reclaim all that we have lost in our life due to exhaustion. Jesus encourages us all to call God, our Father who loves, cares, gives, and forgives. The prerequisite of our prayer is that all that we want God to do for us, we in turn need to do for others.
With prayer, we find life meaningful, and other people as companions not as competitors. Prayer alone gives us grace and power to see good in God, others and in us.
Our prayer remains futile and formal in the absence of wilful forgiveness. It is through prayer; that our good works are acceptable and remembered for the life to come.
May we strengthen our bonding with God in order to relate with one another. God bless you.