In today’s Gospel we learn that Jesus’ words spoken in the synagogue were not accepted by all. Surprise? He invited his critics to reflect on the many times God spoke to their ancestors and the reaction was the same.
Why? Their hearts were hardened; their ears closed. And now, how about the people in the Gospel who heard what he said? And, even more relevant: How about myself?
Daily prayer prevents me from having the reactions that prevented those to hear the Lord’s message. In prayer I learn my need to grasp onto the solid rock that will prevent me from being carried down in the current of temporary indifference, sin, and the pervasive wokeness of our culture to where my heart will be hardened and my ears closed to word of the Lord.
Lord, “Be my rock and my salvation” is the cry in the psalm of today’s Mass. It sums up what my prayer should be. “O God, you have taught me from my youth, and till the present I proclaim your wonderous deeds.” So, today and during the following week, “I will sing of your salvation” and pray that many others, particularly those for whom I pray, will join me in the chorus.