MAKE TIME FOR PRAYER

The high point of the Easter season is over. It concluded last Sunday with the Feast of the Pentecost. On 16th May, we returned to Sundays in Ordinary Time. There is one theme that marks the Ordinary Time of the liturgical year, it is the theme of growth in Christian living. The liturgical colour green symbolises life and growth, as we know from nature. Ordinary Time will take us to the end of the liturgical year (26 November 2016).

Growth is a practical and everyday concern. We, human beings are naturally spiritual and our unique awareness of spirituality marks humanity as distinct. Our Christianity as a whole is centered on a relationship with God. Christian life is not possible without a relationship with God the Father, His Son Jesus Christ, and His Holy Spirit. As we return to Ordinary Time and to the daily challenges of living the Christian life, let us know that we are not alone in the struggle. God the Father is on our side, Jesus Christ the Son of God is on our side, the Holy Spirit the Power of God Most High is on our side. Now this is hope, this is hope that never disappoints us.

Our goal of life is to be at one with God. This is attained through Christ in whom we have access to the Father. Our hope is to share in God’s glory. “And hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5).

If we want to grow spiritually we should make continuous progress in our prayer life and hope that this prayer journey becomes our way of life and way of peace. We are still struggling to begin our day with prayers. If we do not focus on prayer from the very start  of our day, we are likely to fall off track. The less we pray, the more we are in danger of sin. Prayer is the number one thing in our daily lives that deepens our relationship with God.

Prayer is the most important part of our day. The more we make daily prayer a habit, the more effective we will be. Our days need to be prayerful, so that we can make the plan of God a reality to guide our families and ourselves in the way of holiness and peace.

Often we find ourselves so busy that we forget to deepen our own spiritual life. Being busy can be an impediment in our journey to holiness. During the Ordinary Time, let us re-focus on prayer and the Sacraments; focus on God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and our ministries so that we can grow in   holiness and peace.