Scripture:
Reflection:
The readings for today offer us quite a contrast. The first reading from the Book of Sirach we are presented with the fiery prophet Elijah and his impact on Israel while the Gospel reading offers us simplicity and transparency on the authentic way to pray.
In the first reading, from the Book of Sirach, we hear of the dramatic and fierce impact of Elijah on Israel. Kings and nobles are brought low, food becomes scarce, the people are battered and bruised. At the same time, a dead man is raised from the nether world and new prophets are established. The old order collapses and a promise of a new Israel is declared. Elijah himself is taken up into heaven in a fiery chariot and will return to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord. Whew, it’s exhausting just to imagine the chaos that Elijah brought and will bring to the earth.
In contrast to this breathless description of the whirlwind created by Elijah, the Gospel offers us Jesus teaching on prayer. Jesus first clears away the some of the false beliefs about what makes prayer “work.” Apparently, some believed that they needed to bombard God with a constant “babbling” of their needs and petitions. Jesus tells them they don’t need to babble on endlessly because God already knows their needs. And then, Jesus goes on to help us understand that the reason prayer “works” is God’s love for us and intimate relationship with us. It is within that relationship of trust that our prayer becomes effective and nourishing. And, the most important arenas for prayer are God’s will, daily bread (all those needs and relationships that nourish us), and forgiveness, a forgiveness that we’ve already received through God’s love and are called to share with the people in our lives.
We hear a lot of different things about what it means to be a religious person. The readings today present us with a remarkable contrast of God’s action in the world. While our world is often enough battered by the chaos described in the Book of Sirach, the Gospel reminds us that an authentic relationship with God needn’t be complicated or arcane. Rather, it should be a straightforward embrace of God’s love for us revealed through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Fr. Michael Higgins, C.P. is a member of Mater Dolorosa Community in Sierra Madre, California.