August 11, 2021
Wednesday of the Nineteenth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Today
Listen for English
“Again, amen, I dey tell una, if two of una for this earth agree about anything wey dem wan pray for, My Father for heaven go grant am to dem. Because anywhere wey two or three gather together for My name, I dey there among dem.” Matthew 18:19–20
This promise from our Lord strong well-well, and e dey fill us with wonder and deep respect. This passage show say Jesus want make we pray with other people, join our prayers as one, and offer am to the Father. Jesus talk say when we do this in union with His own prayer, our prayer go get answer.
The first thing to note be say person fit easily misunderstand this passage. For example, Jesus dey tell us say if two or more people gather and pray make rain fall, rain must fall? No, no be so at all. Na the last line hold the key to understand this passage: “…I dey there among dem.” This mean say the purpose of gathering with two or more people to pray na to join the prayer wey we don bring together to Jesus own prayer. The Father dey always hear and answer the Son own prayer. Anything wey the Son ask the Father, the Father dey grant am. So, this passage dey tell us say the purpose of gathering to pray with other people, that is, with the Church, na to join ourselves to the one prayer of God the Son wey dey last forever. Na for the Holy Liturgy this dey happen first and above all.
When we gather together for the Liturgy, God dey always hear our prayer. Why? Because the Liturgy na first of all the work of God the Son, and He dey invite us, the Church, make we take part inside am. And the prayer wey dem dey offer na the one prayer wey dey last forever, wey God the Son dey use ask the Father to bring salvation to all those wey accept the saving work of His sacrifice for the Cross. When we join this prayer, the Father dey grant am.
Which kind prayer no dey get answer? First, God no dey grant anything wey no dey serve His mission. Second, if we pray for God will but we no do our own part, then our prayer no fit get answer. For example, if you pray make you overcome one particular sin but you no respond to the grace wey God give you, then no be God fault. Third, to pray make revenge fall on people wey don hurt us no dey work. And fourth, prayer for person wey refuse to repent to turn to God no go fit come to pass too, unless the person repent in the end. These na just some examples.
Which kind prayer dey work? As we don talk before, God dey always hear the prayer of the Liturgy as the one Sacrifice of Christ when we take part inside am. But other ways dey wey the prayer wey we join together go surely get answer. For example, if you gather with other people and una pray together for the grace to turn more deeply to God, you fit dey sure say God go offer that grace. Na then your own part be to open your heart to that grace so that e go work for your life. Or if you pray make God offer His mercy to person wey sin don hold, you fit dey sure say God go offer that grace, even if the person refuse to accept am. And more examples still dey. To put am simply, if we gather with other people and try to join our prayer to the one perfect prayer of God the Son as He dey offer am to the Father for Heaven, then that prayer of the Son wey we dey take part in go get answer. Maybe the best way to pray together like this na to pray the “Our Father” prayer with another person. The Father dey always hear and answer this prayer, because na the Son give us this prayer.
Today, reflect on God the Son as He dey pray to the Father. Wetin be His perfect prayer? Wetin He dey ask the Father? Find ways wey you fit join other people to join your own prayer to this prayer of the Son of God. Do this first and above all for the Holy Liturgy, but still find other ways wey you fit practise this kind prayer. When we pray together with other people in union with the one prayer of Jesus, the Father for Heaven go always answer.
My perfect Lord, the Father dey grant You everything wey You ask Him. Abeg, draw me and all the members of Your Church into Your perfect prayer to the Father. Make we take part in this prayer especially through the Holy Liturgy, and also when we gather as two or more people. Make we pray only with You and according to Your perfect will. Jesus, na You I trust.
More Reflections on the Gospel
Reflection Dem about God im Mercy
Meditations on Scripture for Ordinary Time
Saint for Today – Saint Clare, Virgin
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Catholic Reflections for Evri Day
Ordinary Time: September 1–November 27, 2021
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