FIRST READING
“My word shall accomplish that which I intend. ”
A reading from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 55:10-11)
Thus says the Lord: “As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I intend, and prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
The word of the Lord.
RESPONSORIAL PSALM Ps 34:4-5.6-7.16-17.18-19 (R. see 18b)
R/. The Lord rescues them in all their distress.
Glorify the Lord with me;
together let us praise his name.
I sought the Lord, and he answered me;
from all my terrors he set me free. R/.
Look towards him and be radiant;
let your faces not be abashed.
This lowly one called; the Lord heard,
And rescued him from all his distress. R/.
The Lord turns his eyes to the just,
and his ears are open to their cry.
The Lord turns his face against the wicked
to destroy their remembrance from the earth. R/.
When the just cry out, the Lord hears,
and rescues them in all their distress.
The Lord is close to the broken-hearted;
those whose spirit is crushed he will save. R/.
VERSE BEFORE THE GOSPEL Matthew4:4b
Glory and praise to you, O Christ. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. Glory and praise to you, O Christ.
GOSPEL
“Pray then like this.”
A reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew (Matthew 6:7-15)
At that time: Jesus said to his disciples, “In praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this:
Our Father who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Today’s Reflection
Prayer is a way of establishing a relationship with God. It is a dialogue with God. Through prayer we talk to God. Here Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. There is a proper conduct for prayer. However, certain patterns of prayer, which he attributes to the Gentiles-here people who do not know God-are bad. The Gentiles use so many words, thinking that by being verbose and flowery in the use of words, their needs. And so, he taught them how to address God their father in prayer. God is really in heaven but very close to us. We should give God due respect, but could as well ask for God’s assistance. God sustains us, so we, like children, should ask for our daily bread. Above all, we should ask for forgiveness provided we are willing to forgive those who offend us. Lastly we pray to God against temptations. Draw up your prayer plan.