"Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone if he asked for bread? Or would hand him a snake when he asked for a fish?"
Matthew 7 : 9
Prayer was of vital importance in the life of Christ. The evangelists tell us of the many times he withdrew from them in order to pray. Prayer for him was communing with his heavenly Father.
Here Jesus is teaching his Apostles the importance of prayer in their lives. He is portraying God, the Father as a responsible parent who will give his child what is best for him. In the same way God will give us the good things we need for our eternal salvation.
Stones and snakes are dangerous things to give to a child. There is no nourishment in them.
Prayer is nourishment for the soul. During Lent we ought to set aside a time for prayer and reflection. God is a merciful god who loves us with an everlasting love. What image do we have of God? Is he our loving kind father? Remember we are made in God’s image and likeness. And so is our neighbour. God expects us to treat our neighbour with respect and kindness. “Do unto others what you want others to do unto you.”(Matthew 7 : 12) This is Christianity in action.
Prayer
God of love and mercy stay close to us in our daily struggles and keep us ever at your side. We need your assistance and the nourishment you give us in the Eucharist, which for us is the Bread of Life. Amen
