Motives for praying

Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Luminous Mysteries
Malachi 3:13-20b
Psalm 1:1-2, 3, 4 and 6
Luke 11:5-13

Today’s readings should provoke us to examine our motives behind our approaching God in prayer. Some go to Him only when they or someone they care about is troubled or in need. Others reserve their visits to Him for when they are angered by a person, or a situation, leading them to complain and seek personal satisfaction. Often they may simply ask God to change another's behavior or circumstances to suit themselves rather than to promote the good of a person for whom they should be praying. God always welcomes His children's visits regardless of their motivation—at least they are pointed in the right direction, toward Him. We should ask ourselves, however: "When was the last time we approached Him simply to express love and thanks?"

I missed Mass at the Cathedral this morning, so I decided to go to Mass at 5:30 instead, preceded by an hour in Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. It’s pretty common that when I go into a chapel, there will be 3 or 4 women kneeling or sitting in front of Our Lord. I was pretty surprised (and, I might add pleasantly surprised!) to find 3 MEN there and no women. And all of them were kneeling, not sitting. I took my place in a pew and recited my rosary. About 10 minutes later, a CCD teacher brought about 15 (I’m guessing) 2nd graders in to “introduce” them to Jesus. She was whispering (out of respect for those of us who were still deep in prayer) instructions to them—“Genuflect on your right knee”, “Use your right hand to make the sign of the Cross”, “Be sure to acknowledge Jesus—He’s right there in that big “thing” we call a ‘monstrance’”.

What impressed me about these kids is that some of them obviously have had some instructions from their parents, while others haven’t. The kids who have been taught at home had no problem with the sign of the Cross; One of them even made the sign in the manner that you find the Mexicans or Phillipinos doing it—by making small “crosses” at each point first, then going back and doing it again without the small crosses, then kissing the back of his thumb when he was finished. I felt humbled by this child’s obvious reverence that his parents must have been teaching him.

Then the teacher led them in the Our Father (in a whisper). After that, she asked them all to say a prayer “in your heart”, thanking God for something pleasant that may have happened to them, or to pray for someone they thought might need their prayers. She ended their visit by saying the Glory Be in a normal voice (which really didn’t bother any of us adults in the chapel—in fact most of us joined in!) As they left, all of the children genuflected and made the sign of the cross again, but with one difference—the children who had some difficulties the first time did it without the slightest hint of hesitation! The Spirit must have been in them!

Jesus tells us in the Gospel that one prayer is dearest to our Father's heart, our asking to be imbued with His Holy Spirit. He is the Spirit of humility, which will enable us to accept God's living Word, Christ, in Whom we can learn to live in divine love and truth. It was the fullness of the Holy Spirit in Christ that enabled Him to accept the cross that expresses the self-giving love of God on our behalf. In asking for the Holy Spirit we are asking God to create us anew in the selfless image of His Son. Then being reborn and refreshed by the living waters of life, we will bear much fruit as we share God's love and truth overflowing from us to our fellow humans.

The older I get, the more I believe in the truth that is in this Gospel passage but in a far more nuanced sense than when I was younger. This reading is about seeking and trusting God to help us find answers. Ultimately it asks us to believe that God will answer our prayers by helping us understand the meaning of His divine wisdom for us.

Then, where does one find true happiness and fulfillment?

For the answer, listen carefully to the psalm from the readings which begins, "Blessed the man who...." The New American translation of this verse begins, "Happy those who...." Both versions go on to explain that the blessed and happy man is the one who delights in God's law and keeps it in his heart night and day.

All the riches in the world will not bring us true happiness. In fact, it seems it can bring just the opposite. True happiness in this life is found in God's law and in His eternal Word.