Dear Friends in Christ,
Prayer has been described by some Christian theologians simply as conversation with God. The
Holy Spirit prompts us to pray and gives us a desire for prayer. The need to pray is embedded deeply in our hearts. When God created us, He left a Godshaped hole in us that only He can fill. Prayer fillsthis void with the joy of God’s presence.
In this Sunday’s Gospel, Jesus instructs us “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute
you.” How could the Lord expect us to love those who hate us or are opposed to us? How can we do this practically?
Prayer is the answer. When Jesus asks us to pray for those who are our enemies He is asking us to exercise towards them one of the highest forms of charity. Though we may not see or have contact with those we are at odds with, our prayer for them
shows them concern and care and when we pray for them, God looks upon us favorably. Prayer may change our hearts, their hearts, the situation we are struggling with or yield another solution for us.
During Lent, which begins this Wednesday, the Lord calls us to greater conversion. Through
increased and more diligent prayer, we answer this call. During this prayer, the Lord shows us areas of our lives that He wants to change and renew. Lent invites us to surrender to God’s work in our lives so that we can become more like Him.Let us pray for each other and our parish
community daily during Lent so that we may grow in true holiness.
In Christ,
Fr. Michael