25th Week in Ordinary Time 2021 - Friday - Praying in solitude

 

Two weeks ago Sunday, we heard St. Mark’s version of today’s Gospel. The first major difference in the two versions of the story, is that in Mark, Jesus’ questioning of his disciples about his identity occurs in the context of setting out for Caesarea Philippi--they are walking--they are on the move. In Luke’s Gospel, it occurs after the Lord had been praying in solitude. This is one of the hallmarks of the Gospel of St. Luke. The Lord is constantly engaging in prayer, often in solitude.

He prays immediately prior to his baptism. He prays prior to healing the paralyzed man. He prays before teaching his disciples the Our Father. And of course he goes off to pray in the Garden of Gethsemane. And in today’s passage he prays before explaining that he is the Son of Man who must suffer and die.

Prayer, prayer in solitude, proceeds these profound moments in his ministry, moments in which something is revealed about Him. It’s as if he spends time drawing near to his Father, before he reveals something to us about his relationship with His Father. Kind of a beautiful feature of the Gospel of Luke, wouldn’t you say? 

St. Luke’s inclusion of this detail about prayer reminds us of the importance of prayer, of prayer in solitude. Yes, as Catholics we are constantly gathering together for prayer. Communal prayer is an essential dimension of our faith life. Our Lord of course gathers with others for prayer, even ritual prayer, like he does at the Last Supper.

But prayer in solitude is also an essential dimension of the Christian life. Prayer is necessary so we can draw great strength from our Baptismal identity. Prayer is necessary so we can receiving healing of those areas of our life in which we are paralyzed, and also so that we can bring healing to others. Prayer is needed so that we can grow in Trust that Our Father gives us our daily bread and seeks to deliver us from the Evil One. And prayer is necessary to help us carry our crosses, when it feels like our humanity trying to escape the difficult tasks God asks of us.

Prayer in solitude, where the heart truly reaches out to God, and the heart listens to God, is necessary every day. Following our Lord’s example, may prayer mark our days, and give us strength, understanding, and a deep and abiding knowledge of God’s love for us, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.

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That the members of the Church may seek every deeper union with the Lord and surrender to the Divine Will through humble prayer. Let us pray to the Lord.

For an end to indifference to God and human dignity in our government and educational institutions, businesses, and personal attitudes.

During this month of September, dedicated to Our Lady of Sorrows, we pray for all those who grieve, and that we may grieve sufficiently for our sins.

That the love of Christ, the divine physician, may bring healing to the sick and comfort to all the 

For the deceased members of our families, friends, and parish, and all the poor souls in purgatory, for deceased priests and religious, and for those who have fought and died for our freedom. We pray.

O God, who know that our life in this present age is subject to suffering and need, hear the prayers of those who cry to you and receive the prayers of those who believe in you. Through Christ our Lord.