Meditate on God's Word

 

First Reading:	Isaiah 5:1-7
Second Reading:	Philippians 4:6-9
Gospel:	Matthew 21.33-43 - The Parable of the Wicked Tenants

 

Praying at all times

“In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” These are the words from St. Paul’s letter to the Philippians that we hear in today’s second reading. Elsewhere in his letter to the Thessalonians he says “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” St. Paul is urging us to pray in all circumstances and at all times.

But is it really feasible for us to pray at all times? While we may not be able to spend every moment praying in the chapel, we can still pray ceaselessly by offering up all of our acts as a prayer to God. St. Josemaria Escriva says that “You can be sure that it is through the circumstances of ordinary life, ordained or permitted by the infinite wisdom of divine Providence, that we come close to God … To this I now add that your work too must become a personal prayer, that it must become a real conversation with Our Father in heaven”

As stewards, we can pray and be in union with God through our professional work as well as our charitable works for the parish community. If we offer up these moments of work to God as a means to commune with Him, we will begin to live out St. Paul’s exhortation to pray ceaselessly. Let us strive to never forget the dignity and value of our work as stewards of Christ.

Summary

In today’s second reading St. Paul urges us to pray ceaselessly in all circumstances. While we may not be able to spend every moment in the chapel, we can still pray ceaselessly by offering up all of our acts as a prayer to God. Let us strive to intentionally realize the dignity of our professional work, and our work as stewards, as a means to be in communion with God.