Tuesday of the 5th week in the ordinary time year 2
Theme: A sincere prayer
The two readings we have today are saying a lot to us as Christians and children of God. Like we all know, there are different types of prayers, but sincerity in prayer is very important. When we pray with all sincerity and faith in God, it is usually very powerful. We see sincerity in prayer in today’s 1st reading, from Solomon. He humbled and emptied himself as he communed with God in prayer. This is an action that is worthy of emulation by Christians in our own time. In his prayer there is no manipulation or deception, he spoke with a sincere heart, trusting in the mercy of God.
Sincerity in prayer is very important, because you may be able to manipulate some people, but you cannot manipulate everybody and God. People are sometimes desperate and are in need of fast answers to their prayer, and they end up falling into wrong hands and their vulnerability is been exploited. Dearly beloved in Christ, trust in God, do your best and be prayerful. With God, what you need is patience. His timing is different from our human timing. But one thing we must always remember is that God never comes late, he comes when it matters most.
The attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees in the gospel is deceptive and Jesus pointed it out immediately, by referring them to the prophet Isaiah, “this people honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me; in vain do they worship me, teaching as doctrine the precepts of men”. Does this assertion say anything to you? It is another opportunity for us to reflect about the quality of our discipleship; if it is a product, will people spend their money to buy it?
May God grant us the grace of sincerity in our dealings with one another. Peace be with you.