January 22, 2020 Reflection – And when you fast…
(c) Mary TV 2016 January 22, 2020Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of the Unborn Dear Family of Mary! “…My children, my Son pronounced the words of the ‘Our Father’-Our Father, [you] who are everywhere and in our hearts-because He desires to teach you to pray with words and feelings. He desires for you to always be better, to live merciful love which is prayer and limitless sacrifice for others…” (January 2, 2020) Jesus taught us how to pray. He also taught us how to fast. These two things are linked. On this fast day, let’s listen to Jesus: Matthew 6: 5-18 “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites; for they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: Our Father who art in heaven,Hallowed be thy name.Thy kingdom come.Thy will be done,On earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;And forgive us our debts,As we also have forgiven our debtors;And lead us not into temptation,But deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. “And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. (Matthew 6: 5-18) And when we pray today, let’s pray for the unborn, and their families, that they will be safe and live long lives. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph!Cathy Nolan©Mary TV 2020