Posted on 04/04/2014 1:58:22 PM PDT by ebb tide
VATICAN CITY (CNS) Dont hold back when praying to God tell him exactly whats wrong and insist on holding him to his promises, Pope Francis said.
Prayer should be like speaking face-to-face with a friend: without fear, freely and also with insistence, the pope said in his homily April 3 during an early morning Mass in the chapel of the Domus Sanctae Marthae.
Pope Francis homily focused on the days reading from the Book of Exodus (32:7-14), in which Moses begs God to spare his people, even though they have created a golden calf to worship as their god.
God says hes going to let his wrath blaze up against them to consume them, but Moses reminds the Lord that these are his own people he has saved before and has promised to make their descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky.
Pope Francis leads a prayer as he begins his general audience in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican March 19. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Pope Francis leads a prayer as he begins his general audience in St. Peters Square at the Vatican March 19. (CNS photo/Paul Haring) Pope Francis said that, in the days reading, Moses shows what praying to God should really feel and sound like: not filled with empty words, but a heartfelt, real fight with God.
Moses is courageously insistent and argues his point, the pope said, and prayer must also be a negotiation with God, presenting arguments supporting ones position.
When God decides to not punish his people, its not God who has changed, but Moses, the pope said.
By freely talking out the problem and underlining all the ways God has always shown his mercy, Moses was able to rediscover, deep in his heart, what his head already more or less sort of knew.
Prayer changes our hearts. It helps us better understand what our God is like, it helps people grow closer to him, recognize his love and rejuvenate ones faith.
The pope underlined what Jesus said: In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
No, say whats what: Look, Lord, I have this problem, in my family, with my child, with this, with that What can you do? Now see here, you cant leave me like this! This is prayer. And does this prayer take a long time? Yes, it takes time.
Pray like Moses did, face-to-face with the Lord, like a friend, freely, with insistence and good arguments, the pope said. And also scold the Lord a little: Hey, you promised me this, and you havent done it Like that, like you talk with a friend.
Open ones heart wide to God and get to know him better, he said. Prayer is a grace, and the Holy Spirit is present; it changes and reinvigorates ones heart so people can strike back out on their life journey.
No, say whats what: Look, Lord, I have this problem, in my family, with my child, with this, with that What can you do? Now see here, you cant leave me like this! (Did Jesus do this in the Garden of Gethsemane?)
What part of the, "thy Will be done" in the Pater Noster does this pope not understand?
I am not one who is an RCC apologist, by no means.
But I get what he is trying to say. He is saying prayer can be just talking to God, not always formal prayers in a service/mass structure. Personally I talk to God all throughout the day, He’s my God, but He’s also my friend, my best advocate. When I drive He’s there with me. He sees me warts and all, when I’m good and when I’m not. If I say something I need to be sorry about I say I’m sorry about it.
Praying is asking. Mediation is waiting.
Doesn't sound "face to face" with a friend to me. In fact:
"Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God."
IIRC Moses was not allowed to enter the promised land:
"But the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, Because you have not believed Me, to treat Me as holy in the sight of the sons of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.
I think I'll have to go with what the Bible says, God have mercy on my Catholic soul.
This measna lot to me. I dealt with things that don’t make any sense, and sometimes I get angry at God, while loving him with as much as I can. This seems like a good instruction.
“I think I’ll have to go with what the Bible says, God have mercy on my Catholic soul.”
Lord, send us one faithful priest.
Did not Abraham debate with God about finding “rightous folks” in Sodom and Gomorah? That was what Pope Francis is trying to say in other words.
God has big enough shoulders, He can handle the tough questions. :)
Eh, keep in mind this is the same man who said Jesus pretended to be angry in the Temple.
Also Jesus gave us the wonderful parable of the widow vs. the unjust judge about the power of prayer.
Don’t really agree with this one. But an old Franciscan once said that it’s better to fight with the Lord than to ignore him.
-— What part of the, “thy Will be done” in the Pater Noster does this pope not understand? -—
Perhaps he understands, but you don’t understand him.
The pope is making an important and profound point in everyday language. He’s not addressing a group of theologians regarding the mystery of free will and prayer.
This method of speaking explains much of his popularity. He’s preaching.
If we stick with God's will, there's no need to pray...I always pray for my will and hope God agrees with it...
And he has, so many times...
Sorry all you naysayers, I love Pope Francis.
With evil like the Obama and the Krintons in the world
we need a outspoken man of God like him.
God is balancing the scales sending us Francis at this time.
Deuteronomy 34:10: “ Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face.”
Indeed.
John 15:
11 These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12 This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13 Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17 These things I command you, that ye love one another.
Moses did ... why can’t we?
And exactly what has Francis said that shows Obama and his views are evil?
I’m not sure what he has said about obama, but the first thing I thought of was obama. It just reminded me so much of when obama said to get in your neighbors face and argue with them ... smiles
And what eventually happened to Sodom and Gomorah?
You know what happened, I do not need to explain to you.
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