In today's gospel, Matthew 6: 7-15, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray. When you pray, Jesus says to us, "do not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words." Remember, Jesus says to us, that "[y]our Father know what you need before you ask him."
Pray like this, Jesus says to us:
"Our Father who art in heaven." Stop! Think of a child running into the arms of his/her loving, caring protective father. Many times, no words are necessary. The child looks up at daddy, raises his or her arms and daddy picks up the child, soothes it, looks into its eyes lovingly and the child's needs are met! And how delighted the father is that the child trusts him so unhesitatingly and completely!
That is our father in heaven: caring, waiting, eager to pick us up, comfort us, soothe us and meet our needs, whatever they are!
"Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be your name." Listen to a child boast of its daddy: "My daddy is the best. My daddy is strong! My daddy knows everything" are praises that we hear little children telling each other about their daddy! Do you and I have this kind of relationship with our Father in heaven? If not, what do we need to do to develop this kind of relationship with God? How did we develop this kind of relationship with our own fathers or surrogate fathers?
May we grow in love with God! May we discover God as a loving, caring, compassionate, strong father, a God who gave His life for us!
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