Praying for the People

Reflection on Today's Readings, Thursday of 22nd Week in Ordinary, Year 1, September 2nd, 2021
Texts: Col. 1:9-14; Ps. 98:2-6; Luke 5:1-11
Today's first reading reminds us that everything good needs prayer. St. Paul continued to pray for the people of Colossae on account of their display of love. This teaches us to always pray for those who are standing that they may not fall. No one who does not need pray; let us pray for one another: the good need prayer not to turn bad, the wicked need pray to become good.
St. Paul prayed that the colossians be filled with the knowledge of God in all spiritual wisdom and understanding. We are to seek to know the will of God as the working principle for the spirit. We are to understand the will of God that we might do it.  When we know the will of God, understand it and apply it as the rule of life, we are able to lead a life worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God.
St. Paul reminds us, in the prayer that we need God’s  power to be able to endure the challenge of life and be patient in time of trouble. It is God's power that can supply the strength we need for endurance and patience. Joy comes during trying moment when we accept it as the will of God and trusting in Him for the best. The joy is from the belief that God wants the best for us and will never abandon us. We should always cultivate the habit of thanking God for His love and care.
St. Paul also reminds us of our communion with the saints; he says we share the inheritance of the saints. This means we have at our disposal the merit of the saints, their protection, their love and intercession. The benefits of our communion with the saints can be compared with the benefits of having good relationship with powerful men in government who could work things out for us. Our communion with the saints afford us of their help and God's favour.
Today's gospel reading teaches us to listen to Jesus. All we have to do is to obey and we will experience the wonder of God. Peter obeyed Jesus Christ and he had a great catch. As ministers of God's word, all we have to do is to obey him; just to preach the word, He will make it fruitful Himself. From Peter we also learn to use our resources for the spreading of God's word. Peter allowed Jesus to stay in his boat to teach the people.

 Lord God, true Light and Creator of light, grant that faithfully pondering on all that is holy, we may ever live in the splendour of your presence. Amen (Divineoffice, Morning Prayer).

Fr. Andrew Olowomuke