Word of the Week

Twenty Third Sunday in Ordinary Time

Prayer: Kavanah (Hb.): meaning "focus, direction of heart; intensity in which we discern the meaning of words”, behind it conveys a firm sense of questing for truth.

Prayer is a response of faith that is an elevation of the mind and heart to God in praise of his glory; a petition made to God for some desired good received, or an intercession for others before God (CCC 2557-59). Humility is the foundation of all prayer and is a surge of the heart. The heart is the organic center of all prayer (CCC 2559, 2563). In genuine prayer, the Christian experiences communion with God through Christ and the Church (CCC 2565).

Pray(er) can be found in Sacred Scripture close to 750 times. In the Old Testament, there are two essentials to prayer. First, and more prevalent, is the begging request of God's steadfast love to come forth where the mediator asks, “I pray you” (Gen.33.10-11, 37.16, 45.4, 50.17; Ex.10.17; Num.10.31; 2 Sam.15.31). Second, an elevation of mind and heart to intercede in supplication for something (usually to intervene in battle) or someone (Gen.25.21; Deut.9.26; 1 Sam.1.10; 1 kgs.8.54). Prayer in the New Testament is also filled with numerous meanings. I will simply draw out two core principles from the mouth of Christ himself and Paul's own exhortation to prayer. Christ teaches us from the Sermon on the Mount that prayer is something not for showy, rather a disposition rooted in humility and at times in secret (Mt.6.6). In the same instruction on the new law, Christ teaches us that all prayer is dialogue with the father and is communal: “Our Father…” (Mt.6.9; Lk.11.2). Paul is consistent in calling us out to pray constantly in supplication (Rom.12.12; 1 Thes.5.17). He offers us a reminder that we should pray regularly and that the spirit of praise and thanksgiving ought to permeate our daily work. All things for the greater glory of God!

Jesus constantly retreated in prayer. Why? That we might learn from his example. Christ demonstrated in and through his manner of being that prayer is the source and locus of life; gently reminding us that we cannot give what we do not have! In addition, when Jesus retreated in prayerhe points us to the deeper meaning of a retreat: the place where God meets us in silence. Saints of Church history past have taught us many lessons about prayer, namely, that the fruit of prayer is joy and a deeper understanding of participation in the will of the Father. Simply put, prayer is the language of a living relationship with Jesus Christ.

Do not be troubled if you do not immediately receive from God what you ask him; for he desires to do something even greater for you, while you cling to him in prayer…God wills that our desire should be exercised in prayer, that we may be able to receive what he is prepared to give.”

--St. Augustine

Primary Texts Consulted

•  Catholic Bible. Suggested trans. Revised Standard Version, Catholic Edition.
•  Catechism of the Catholic Church, 2nd Edition, 1997.

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