Scripture readings for today's reflection can be found at Friday of the Eighth Week in Ordinary Time | USCCB
In our gospel for today Jesus is teaching us about the
value of having faith in God and remaining focused on prayer and union with
God. Other distractions, like the one in today’s gospel with the money
changers, has no place where we worship God. We are to be prepared to encounter
God and what he is teaching us through Holy Scripture. We are to also focus on
being fed with the spiritual food of Holy Communion: The Body, Blood, Soul, and
Divinity of Jesus Christ. That should always be our reason for coming into
God’s House of Worship. We are to leave the outside distractions where they
belong: outside.
Upon entering church for the worship of God we are to
place ourselves in the presence of God through prayer and silence. We are to
forget our plans for the day or upcoming week. We are not to be concerned with
things we plan on doing once we leave church. As hard as it may be to do, we
are to quiet our minds of all the things going on in our lives. We are to
prepare ourselves to encounter the God who knows us and loves us.
Jesus goes on to let us know that God does care about
our cares and concerns. The Lord tells us, “Therefore, I tell you, all that you ask for in prayer, believe that you will receive it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24) All
our cares and concerns are to be placed at the foot of the altar for God to
respond to in a way that is best for us. He may not answer in the way we ask,
but God will answer in the way that is best for us.
The Lord goes on to teach us about the love and
forgiveness we are to have for others. The Lord says, “When you stand and pray, forgive anyone against whom you have a grievance, so that your heavenly Father may in turn forgive you your transgressions.” (Mark 11:25). This is a difficult thing to do,
isn’t it? Forgiving those people in our lives that may have hurt us has always
been difficult, but holding a grudge, and not letting go of the pain will only
lead us to grow in anger towards those we are called to love as God loves.
Further it takes us away from worship of God and causes us to be more focused
on the anger and frustrations we may have towards other people. So, it’s
important to let go of any pain or anger we have towards other people, place it
in God’s hands, and let us ask God to help us forgive those in our lives that
have hurt us. Then we will have that peace that can only come from the God who
loves us intensely.
When in church getting ready to worship God, remember
the words of St. Teresa of Avila: “Let nothing disturb you, let nothing
frighten you, all things pass away; God never changes. Patience obtains all
things. He who has God can want for nothing. God alone suffices.”
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