How to Pray, Part Three: Mass as the Publican's Prayer


Message: Take gratitude to a higher level. Be grateful for the greatest gift - salvation in Christ. Express that gratitude by saying the sinner' prayer, the Publican's Prayer as we do at Mass.

This is the third of four homilies on how to pray. I am doing this series because (according to studies and my own pastoral experience) many Catholics do not know how to pray - and do not pray. For sure, prayer is difficult - and mysterious - but we all can learn to pray.

Como Rezar, Parte Tres: Misa Como Oracion del Publicano

Mensaje: Llevar la gratitud a un nivel mas alto. Ser agradecido por el mayor don - salvacion en Cristo. Expresar la gratitud por medio de la oracion del publicano como hacemos en la misa.

Esta es la tercera de cuatro homilias sobre como rezar. Estoy haciendo esta serie porque muchos catolicos no saben rezar - y no rezan. Desde luego, la oracion es dificil - y misterioso - pero todos podemos aprender a rezar.

El primer paso de oracion (como hemos visto el domingo pasado) es gratitud.

The is the second of four homilies on how to pray. Last Sunday we saw prayer's first step: gratitude.  We now see the second element of prayer: persistence. Persistence has to accompany gratitude. Otherwise, it turn to bitterness or simply will die. The Old Testament reading gives a powerful image of persistence - Moses extending his arms to God. As long as he keeps his arms up, the Israelites win the battle. But when Moses weakens and lowers his arms, the Israelites take a beating.

The best thing a father can do is to pray for his family. Persistent intercessory prayer is a manly task. We need fathers who pray for their wife and children - and grandchildren. I experience that as a priest. On Sunday morning, when I make a Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament, I know that battles are going on in our homes... 

In a presentation, sponsored by St. Mary of the Valley Men's Group, Karlo Broussard explains why science cannot disprove God's existence and why modern physics actually gives evidence for the existence of God.  Karlo gives a concise explanation of: 

• The Big Bang Theory
• The Borde-Vilenkin-Guth Proof for a Beginning of the Universe (even if one postulates a "multiverse")
  
• Entropy Evidence for the Beginning of the Universe 
• Indications of Design from Universal Constants

This audio file (MP3) is the second part of Karlo Broussard's presentation on why science not only cannot disprove God's existence, but actually gives evidence that points to an an Creative Intelligence responsible for the universe.  He explains why this is so even if one postulates a "multiverse," multiple universes, an oscillating universe

Part One of Homily series on prayer:  Studies have shown that many Catholic do not pray.  For some it is because they do not believe in a “personal God.”  They think that God is an impersonal force who does not involve himself in our lives.  I can understand that such a belief is tempting, especially in today’s culture.  However, it goes against everything we read in the Bible.  We see from the beginning that God not only creates the world, but that he is deeply involved in the lives of his people.  His involvement is so profound that it culminates in God himself taking on human nature and becoming man in Jesus – in order to save us.

The Gospels for these four Sundays will help us understand how God is involved in our lives – and how we should respond to him.