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Karaniwang Panahon
Lectionary: 368
Like a fire there appeared the prophet Elijah whose words were as a flaming furnace. Their staff of bread he shattered, in his zeal he reduced them to straits; By the Lord’s word he shut up the heavens and three times brought down fire. How awesome are you, Elijah, in your wondrous deeds! Whose glory is equal to yours? You brought a dead man back to life from the nether world, by the will of the LORD. You sent kings down to destruction, and easily broke their power into pieces. You brought down nobles, from their beds of sickness. You heard threats at Sinai, at Horeb avenging judgments. You anointed kings who should inflict vengeance, and a prophet as your successor. You were taken aloft in a whirlwind of fire, in a chariot with fiery horses. You were destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the LORD, To turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to re-establish the tribes of Jacob. Blessed is he who shall have seen you And who falls asleep in your friendship. For we live only in our life, but after death our name will not be such. O Elijah, enveloped in the whirlwind! Then Elisha, filled with the twofold portion of his spirit, wrought many marvels by his mere word. During his lifetime he feared no one, nor was any man able to intimidate his will. Nothing was beyond his power; beneath him flesh was brought back into life. In life he performed wonders, and after death, marvelous deeds.
R. (12a) Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many isles be glad. Clouds and darkness are round about him, justice and judgment are the foundation of his throne. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! Fire goes before him and consumes his foes round about. His lightnings illumine the world; the earth sees and trembles. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth. The heavens proclaim his justice, and all peoples see his glory. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just! All who worship graven things are put to shame, who glory in the things of nought; all gods are prostrate before him. R. Rejoice in the Lord, you just!
R. Alleluia, alleluia. You have received a spirit of adoption as sons through which we cry: Abba! Father! R. Alleluia, alleluia.
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. “This is how you are to pray: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’ “If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States, second typical edition, Copyright © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine; Psalm refrain © 1968, 1981, 1997, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved. Neither this work nor any part of it may be reproduced, distributed, performed or displayed in any medium, including electronic or digital, without permission in writing from the copyright owner. Via USCCB
Today’s readings present a stunning contrast. First, we see the prophet Elijah in Sirach, a man of fire whose words burned like a torch and who controlled the rain. It’s a picture of God’s raw, terrifying power. But then, in the Gospel, Jesus invites us into the quiet intimacy of the "Our Father." He teaches us that this same God-the one who melts mountains like wax-is also "Abba," Daddy. God isn't asking for a performance; He wants a relationship. We are reminded today that true prayer isn't about manipulating a powerful deity with "many words," but about resting in the care of a Father who already knows what we need.
Let’s look at this through a Personal Challenge. Jesus warns us not to "babble like the pagans." In the ancient world, pagans believed they had to wake up their gods or twist their arms with long, repetitive incantations to get results. Do you ever feel that way? We often treat prayer like a complex legal contract or a vending machine code-if we just say the right formula, God will fix our problems. But Jesus cuts through our anxiety. He reminds us that we don't pray to *inform* God of our needs, but to align our hearts with His will. We can stop striving and start trusting.
The Slow-Motion Prayer: Tonight, pray the *Our Father*, but force yourself to pause for a full 10 seconds of silence after every single phrase. Let the words sink in before moving to the next line.
The Forgiveness Audit: Jesus attaches a condition to our own forgiveness: we must forgive others. Identify one "micro-grudge" you are holding-maybe against a coworker or a spouse-and explicitly pray for their happiness today.
When you pray, do you feel like you are talking to a distant CEO or a loving Father? Why?
In what area of your life are you "babbling"-using lots of words or worry because you don't fully trust God is listening?
The Gospel links our forgiveness from God with our forgiveness of others. Is there a connection between your ability to forgive and your own sense of peace?
Elijah was known for his fiery zeal; Jesus is known for his surrender to the Father's will. How can you balance "zeal" and "surrender" in your spiritual life this week?
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