Give What You Wish to Recieve

In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus offers many teachings during his Sermon on the Mount. However, one particularly important teaching applies to that of praying. “And in praying, do not heap up empty phrases…for they think that they will be heard for their many words”(6:7). Empty phrases is the most rampant problem encountered during personal and communal prayer, especially considering today’s society. Prayer is intended for one on one communication with God – “Go into the room and shut the door and pray to your Father”(6:5), as Jesus says. And yet prayer, when said daily in school or weekly in Mass or alone in a bed seems to become not a ritual but a habit. The words being said become meaningless and are simply recited, to the point that most people do not even acknowledge what they are praying for. The Our Father includes praise, supplication for sustenance, forgiveness, and help in times of need. But what if these words go unrecognized for what they are? “If you do not forgive men of their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses”(6:15). Also “when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and the street corners, that they may be seen by men”(6:5). Here, societal renown and advancement become the main initiative for praying rather than the need for communication with the Lord, and if forgiveness is not given, nor shall you receive it. This is the most important teaching because no matter what other teaching may be ignored, forgiveness for that neglect is based on prayer. God’s attention and care given to the relationship between Him and man is based on the similar attention and prayer He receives.