Daily Catholic Lectio
Wed, 9 Oct ‘24
XXVII Week in Ordinary Time, Wednesday
Galatians 2:1-2, 7-14. Luke 11:1-4
Learning to pray
In the first reading, Paul reflects on his mission to the Gentiles and the challenges of staying true to the Gospel amid misunderstandings and hypocrisy. In the gospel reading, the disciples ask Jesus to teach them how to pray, and He offers the foundational prayer, the ‘Our Father.’
1. Prayer as a relationship rooted in God’s mission
Paul describes his call to preach to the Gentiles, emphasizing that his mission was confirmed by the leaders in Jerusalem. This underscores the importance of discerning God’s will through prayer and aligning our lives with His mission. Paul’s experience reminds us that prayer is not just about asking for things but about aligning our hearts with God’s purpose. Prayer begins with a relationship – seeking to understand God’s plan and our role in His mission.
2. Prayer as humble learning from Christ
The disciples approach Jesus with humility, asking, “Lord, teach us to pray.” This shows that even those closest to Jesus recognized the need to learn how to pray properly. Christ responds by teaching them the Our Father, which is not just a prayer of words but a model of how to live in God’s presence.
Prayer is a journey of learning and growth. We must approach it with humility, acknowledging our need for guidance.
3. Prayer as the foundation for authentic Christian living
Paul confronts Peter for his inconsistency and hypocrisy. This bold action stems from Paul’s deep commitment to the truth of the Gospel. It highlights that true prayer leads to authenticity and courage in living out our faith. Hypocrisy and inconsistency often arise when prayer is not at the centre of our lives. Authentic prayer shapes us to live in truth and love. When we are grounded in prayer, we become consistent witnesses to the Gospel, like Paul, who was unafraid to correct even a leader when the truth was at stake.
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The ‘pilgrims of hope’ align their lives with God’s mission. (Jubilee 2025 AD, bite 220)
Fr. Yesu Karunanidhi
Archdiocese of Madurai
Missionary of Mercy
Yesu Karunanidhi 
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