Greetings on this the Wednesday of the Twenty-seventh Week in Ordinary Time
Readings: Jon 4:1-11; PS 86:3-4, 5-6, 9-10; Lk 11:1-4
Notes: Today begins a three part gospel portion on prayer.
There are three distinct points to be made:
- Prayer in community – Wednesday.
- Persistence in prayer – Thursday.
- The power of prayer – Friday.
First reading
Jonah is so angry at his enemies that he wants G-d to deny himself and make vengance.
Accusation:
I knew that you are a gracious and merciful God,
slow to anger, rich in clemency, loath to punish.
Reply:
Should I not be concerned over Nineveh, the great city,
in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand persons
who cannot distinguish their right hand from their left?
If we are unfaithful
he remains faithful,
for he cannot deny himself (2 Tim 2:13).
Responsorial Psalm
Lord, you are merciful and gracious.
For you, O Lord, are good and forgiving,
abounding in kindness to all who call upon you.
Hearken, O LORD, to my prayer
and attend to the sound of my pleading.
Alleluia Verse
You have received a spirit of adoption as sons
through which we cry: Abba! Father!
Gospel Portion
When Jesus finished they requested the same for themselves.
I wonder how inspiring Jesus was in his prayer?
- Was it his calm?
- Was it his aura?
- Was it what he said?
Clearly Jesus was modeling prayer for the disciples.
John the Baptist modeled prayer as well.
Communal prayer is a common prayer said in common.
When you say the Our Father, you pray for everyone!
Pray!
Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished,
one of his disciples said to him,
“Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.”
He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your Kingdom come.
Give us each day our daily bread
and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry
Deacon Gerry Palermo 