Saturday, 25 May 2024. Readings: James 5:13-20, Ps. 141:1-3,8, Mark 10:13-16
“The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects.” (James 5:16)
A few days ago, Jesus warned us against scandalising the little ones. “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung round his neck and he were thrown into the sea.” (Mark 9:42). In today’s Gospel passage, Jesus declares: “Let the children come to me, do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” (Mark 10:14). When we put these verses together, we cannot but conclude that God loves children (innocent minds) and as James explains in today’s First Reading, the prayer of the righteous has great power. Does this mean that God only hears the prayers of children and righteous people? Let’s find out as we consider the lessons in today’s readings:
1. Prayer Goes Beyond Words: When Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He made it very clear that our actions can either make our mar our prayers: “For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (Matthew 6:14-15). In other words, what we do or refuse to do after praying goes a long way in determining the efficacy of our prayers. Reflecting on the life of Prophet Elijah, St. James concludes, "The prayer of a righteous person has great power in its effects.” It is not enough to spend a whole night praying; pay attention to what you do when you are not praying (daily life activities) and strive for righteousness.
2. Sacraments Are Prayers that Involve Words (Form) and Signs (Matter). Words alone cannot fully express some prayers. Hence, they are called sacraments. For instance, in the healing of the blind man, Jesus used sand and spittle. (cf. John 9:6). In today’s First Reading, St. James mentions two sacraments: anointing the sick and confession. This highlights the role of sacraments in our prayers, as they are not just words but also physical actions that signify our faith. Anyone can pray for a sick person, but when a priest is invited to pray for a sick person and anoint them, it becomes a sacrament. Also, when you approach a priest to confess your sins and receive absolution, you have received the Sacrament of Penance. What is the difference between praying on your own (private prayer) and sacrament? In private prayer, you ask God for favour as just one person, but in a sacrament, the whole church headed by Jesus Christ (embodied in the priest) is praying. The two sacraments St. James mentions today are sacraments of healing. Is there anyone sick around you? Don’t just pray for them; let them receive these sacraments.
3. Does God Reject the Prayer of Sinners? Before providing the answer to this question, let us remember that there are two categories of sinners: those who admit they are sinners (for instance, the thief who was crucified with Jesus) and those who believe they are perfect (for instance, in the parable of Pharisee and the Tax Collector, the tax collector went home justified but the Pharisee’s prayer failed to rise to heaven cf. Luke 18:9-14). We are all sinners, and none of us deserves to be heard when we pray. As St. Paul says, “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.” (cf. Romans 3:23). What kind of a sinner am I? One who justifies their actions (like Adam and Eve) or acknowledges their faults (like the Prodigal Son)? Jesus tells us: “Whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” It takes a childlike attitude to acknowledge one’s fault or to say, “I am sorry”; without this mindset, our prayers are futile. This reiterates the importance of righteousness in our prayers, as it is not just about the words we say but also the state of our hearts and minds.
4. Let the Children Come to Jesus; Remove the Stumbling Blocks: Just as Jesus’ disciples tried to prevent the children from coming to Jesus, we sometimes create barriers that push our children away from God. Since we kicked out the Bible from our schools, has our society become better? Children are like soft clay, impressionable. If we do not consciously teach them about God and morals, they easily pick up the dirt they find around them. Take your children to church, but more importantly, take the church to your children by showing good examples at home.
Let us pray: Almighty, ever-living God, may my prayers rise like incense to you. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever. Amen.
Remember, amid all challenges, choose to be happy. Live with a positive mindset and believe in God’s plan for you. God bless you abundantly. (Saturday of week 7 in Ordinary Time. Bible Study: James 5:13-20, Ps. 141:1-3,8, Mark 10:13-16).
@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu
Amen. Same to you, Father.
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