TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT

READINGS

Reading 1 Is 55:10-11

Thus says the LORD:

Just as from the heavens

the rain and snow come down

And do not return there

till they have watered the earth,

making it fertile and fruitful,

Giving seed to the one who sows

and bread to the one who eats

So shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth;

It shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will, achieving the end for which I sent it.

Verse Before the Gospel Mt 4:4b

One does not live on bread alone,

but on every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Gospel Mt 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples:

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them.

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

“This is how you are to pray:

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.

“If you forgive men their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men,

neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

REFLECTION

“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,

who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

Do not be like them.

This weekend I was with my great-grandson, who is 1 year and 7 months old. His development has been amazing to watch. He is walking, running, balancing, and climbing. The little guy is fearless.

The one thing that he is trying to figure out is how to communicate with speech. He doesn't say too many words clearly. Recently, he says, syllables very fast as if it is a sentence. "Itch icka ba bi da." But no one understands what he is trying to say, because it sounds like babble.

He gets very frustrated because he can't get a response to what he is trying to convey.

When I read the readings for today, I think of how God must hear our words, when we talk to Him. It must sound very much like my great-grandson's conversation, like a lot of jibberish.

Jesus, in His mercy. gives us a practical guide in praying to God the Father. He simply tells us that His Father already knows what we need.

When we talk to God we should show our respect and love by addressing Him as, "Our Father and hallowed be thy name. " We should recognize God's omnipotence and all that He Wills good or even intends good for us here, on earth as in heaven. Trust in His care.

In our prayer to God, Jesus also, tells us to be grateful to God for He gives us our "daily bread".

Most importantly, ask for forgiveness for our sins and forgive others.