Through His prayer, “the Our Father,” Jesus gives us a new vision of human relationships. He affirms that we all, irrespective of our color, creed or social background, are the children of God and, thereby, are brothers and sisters. When we learn this lesson – if we can learn this lesson, if we are able to treat God as our Father and love Him accordingly, and if we are able to treat every other human being as our own dear brother or sister and love them accordingly — then, and then only, shall we experience the Kingdom of God, both here on earth and in life to come.
Food for Thought: A colleague asked C.S. Lewis if he really thought he could change God with his prayer for the cure of his wife’s cancer. Lewis replied: “Prayer doesn’t change God; it changes me.” William McGill summed it up this way: “The value of persistent prayer is not that God will hear us, but that we will finally hear God.” Especially during this coming week, keep in mind that Jesus has taught us to address God as “Father.” A loving Father listens to his children, but does not blindly endorse every request. The loving Father provides not what is wanted, but what is truly needed.
A Worthy Perspective on Prayer: “I asked God for strength that I might achieve; I was made weak that I might learn humbly to obey. I asked for health that I might do great things; I was given infirmity that I might do better things. I asked for riches that I might be happy; I was given poverty that I might be wise. I asked for all things that I might enjoy life; I was given life that I might enjoy all things. I got nothing that I asked for, but everything I had hoped for; despite myself, my prayers were answered. I am, among all people, most richly blessed. Thank you, God!”
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Parish announcement: Beginning next weekend, July 30-31, Holy Cross Parish is returning to a “masks are mandatory” policy in the church. Please prepare to come to Mass with a mask or pick one up in the entryway and use it. The number of Covid cases is rising, the vaccines many of us have received are not as effective against the new variants, and hospital staff are unable to care for “regular patients” because of the rising number of Covid-related admissions. This change back to our previous policy is pure common sense and prudential. Thank you for your cooperation.
