August 16, 2023
Wenesde for di Nineteenth Week for Ordinary Time
Readings for Tude
Saint Stephen of Hungary—Memorial Wey Person Fit Choose to Celebrate
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
Dis na bold promise from our Lord wey dey make us stand in awe. Dis passage dey show Jesus’ desire say make we pray with other people, join our prayers as one and offer am to di Father. Jesus talk say when we do dis in union with His 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 mention, God dey always hear di prayer of di Liturgy as di one Sacrifice of Christ when we take part in am. But other ways still dey wey we fit dey sure say our prayer wey we join together go get answer. For example, if you gather with other people and una pray together for di grace to turn from sin to God more deeply, una fit dey sure say God go offer una di grace. Na then e go remain for you to open your heart to dat grace so dat e go work for you. Or if you pray make God offer His mercy to person wey sin don trap, you fit dey sure say God go offer dat grace, even if di person refuse to accept am. And plenty other examples still dey. To put am simply, if we gather with other people and try to join our prayer to di one perfect prayer of God di Son, as E dey offer am to di Father for Heaven, then dat prayer of di Son wey we join go get answer. Maybe di best way to pray together like dis na to pray di “Our Father” prayer with another person. Di Father dey always hear and answer dis prayer because na di prayer wey di Son give us.
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 Lord wey perfect, You dey receive everything wey You ask di Father for. Abeg, draw me and all di members of Your Church into Your perfect prayer to di Father. Make we take part in dis prayer, especially through di Sacred Liturgy, and also when we gather as two people or more. Make we pray only with You and according to Your will wey perfect. 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 Stephen of Hungary
