EMPTY WORDS
Meditation
for Tuesday of the First Week of Lent
(Is 55:10-11; Mt 6:7-15)
The prophet Isaiah assures us
that God’s words do not come down nor go back empty. Like rainfall, His words come
with nourishment and return fruitfulness. Then, how can we render empty words
to God in prayer, who even speaks to us with His life in Christ Jesus. Hence,
Jesus says in the today’s gospel, “In praying do not heap up empty phrases as
the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do
not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.”
Empty words are those that do not
come from the heart, or those words that are not in touch with our real life
and deepest desires, or words that are not true. Also, we heap up empty phrases
when we address God in words that are not true to Him, or when we ask for
things that will not bring Him glory. Such empty phrases can come when we seek
for vengeance in prayer instead of forgiveness, etc. Prayer must be genuine,
with our words flowing from our hearts and minds.
If we can be tempted to address God
with empty phrases, how much more readily do we present false selves to others!
The fact is if we cannot not relate genuinely with others, unforgiveness,
jealousy, etc, will cloud our hearts and, in turn, render our words of prayer
empty! Since God knows the secrets of our hearts and our needs even before we
pray, and He speaks words of life and divine favour to us, let us set our
hearts free to bear fruits of divine glory by being true to one another, and
forgiving them of their trespasses. Amen.
Fr Jude Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic
Church,
Tedi-Muwo, Ojo, Lagos.
Tues March 8th, 2022.
www.soundofsilence.ng
www.nwachinwe.blogspot.com
