Saturday, February 03, 2024

PRAY LIKE JESUS. PRAY LIKE THE SAINTS.

"On leaving the synagogue Jesus entered the house of Simon and Andrew with James and John.

"Simon’s mother-in-law lay sick with a fever. They immediately told him about her. He approached, grasped her hand, and helped her up. Then the fever left her and she waited on them.

"When it was evening, after sunset, they brought to him all who were ill or possessed by demons. The whole town was gathered at the door. He cured many who were sick with various diseases, and he drove out many demons, not permitting them to speak because they knew him.

"Rising very early before dawn, he left and went off to a deserted place, where he prayed.

"Simon and those who were with him pursued him and on finding him said, “Everyone is looking for you.”

He told them, “Let us go on to the nearby villages that I may preach there also. For this purpose have I come.”

So he went into their synagogues, preaching and driving out demons throughout the whole of Galilee." (Mark 1: 29 - 39).

Sunday 4th February 2024 of the 5th Week in Ordinary Time.

Our key Scripture for today reveals something of the habit and prayer life of our Lord Jesus Christ.

We know that Jesus taught a great deal about Prayer. He called Prayer a vital necessity. (Cf Luke 18: 1).

Jesus taught us to pray with expectant faith, with persistence and humility.

Prayer is key to the life of faith. St Alphonsus Liguori, Bishop and Doctor of the Church says that if you pray, you will be saved. If you do not pray, assume that you may be lost.

"Prayer is the place of refuge for every worry, a foundation for cheerfulness, a source of constant happiness, a protection against sadness." Writes St. John Chrysostom, Bishop and Doctor of the Church.

"If you pray well, you live well. If you live well, you die well. If you die well, all is well." (St Augustine. Bishop and Doctor of the Church).

How is your prayer life? Let us consider 3 points:

#1. Time of Prayer:

For Jesus, we see that His sacred time for prayer is early in the morning. First thing in the day. Note that it is not when it is convenient.

#2. Place of Prayer:

Our Guide to Prayer, Jesus does not pray in the marketplace, Starbucks Café or restaurant. Jesus goes to an isolated place where He can be alone with His Father without distraction and interruption.

#3. Prayer Intention:

Jesus prays a lot for His ministry and His followers. This is His persistent sacred intention in Prayer. "Father, I pray for those You have given Me..."

We can learn something from the prayer habits of Jesus to bless our prayer life.

This is the habit of Prayer of Saints. If we can pray like Saints, our faith will grow; our mental life will be healthy. We will be able to overcome most of the trials that life hurls at us.