492. Sources of prayer

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 492

Ave Maria series

Does my personal prayer have something to do with the prayer of the Church?

In the Church’s public worship, in her Liturgy of the Hours and in Holy Mass, common prayers are recited that come from Sacred Scripture or from the Tradition of the Church.  They unite the individual with the praying community of the Church.  [2655-2658, 2662]

Saint John Vianney (1786-1859), is the patron saint of parish priests. He is often referred to as the “Cure of Ars”.  He is internationally known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish in Ars, France because of the radical spiritual transformation of the community and its surroundings. Catholics attribute this to his saintly life, mortification, his persevering ministry in the sacrament of confession, and his ardent devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary. His feast day is August 4. ..... 492

Christian prayer is not a private matter, but it is very personal.  Personal prayer becomes purified, expands, and is strengthened when it regularly flows into the prayer of the whole Church.  It is a great and beautiful sign when believers throughout the earth are united at the same time in the same prayers and thereby sing one hymn of praise to God.  188

“Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances.”  Psalm 119:164

“You are great, O Lord, and greatly to be praised…And man, so small a part of your creation, wants to praise you…You yourself encourage him to delight in your praise, for you have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”  --St. Augustine (354-430)

“Prayer is nothing other than attention in its purest form.”  --Simone Weil (1909-1943, French political activist, philosopher, and mystic)

[2655-2658, 2662]

The Liturgy of the Church

2655 In the sacramental liturgy of the Church, the mission of Christ and of the Holy Spirit proclaims, makes present, and communicates the mystery of salvation, which is continued in the heart that prays. The spiritual writers sometimes compare the heart to an altar. Prayer internalizes and assimilates the liturgy during and after its celebration. Even when it is lived out "in secret,"⁶ prayer is always prayer of the Church; it is a communion with the Holy Trinity.⁷ --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

6.  Compare Matthew 6:6.

7.  General Introduction Liturgy of the Hours 9.

The theological virtues

2656 One enters into prayer as one enters into liturgy: by the narrow gate of faith. Through the signs of his presence, it is the Face of the Lord that we seek and desire; it is his Word that we want to hear and keep. --CCC

2657 The Holy Spirit, who instructs us to celebrate the liturgy in expectation of Christ's return, teaches us-to pray in hope. Conversely, the prayer of the Church and personal prayer nourish hope in us. The psalms especially, with their concrete and varied language, teach us to fix our hope in God: "I waited patiently for the LORD; he inclined to me and heard my cry."⁸ As St. Paul prayed: "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."⁹ –CCC

8.  Psalm 40:2.

9.  Romans 15:13.

2658 "Hope does not disappoint us, because God's love has been poured into our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."¹⁰ Prayer, formed by the liturgical life, draws everything into the love by which we are loved in Christ and which enables us to respond to him by loving as he has loved us. Love is the source of prayer; whoever draws from it reaches the summit of prayer. In the words of the Cure of Ars: –CCC

10.  Romans 5:5.

I love you, O my God, and my only desire is to love you until the last breath of my life. I love you, O my infinitely lovable God, and I would rather die loving you, than live without loving you. I love you, Lord, and the only grace I ask is to love you eternally. . . . My God, if my tongue cannot say in every moment that I love you, I want my heart to repeat it to you as often as I draw breath.¹¹ –CCC

11.  St. John Vianney, Prayer.

IN BRIEF

2662 The Word of God, the liturgy of the Church, and the virtues of faith, hope, and charity are sources of prayer.

Saint  John Vianney, Priest

491. The Bible: a wellspring of prayer

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 491

Ave Maria series

Can you learn to pray from the Bible?

The Bible is like a wellspring of prayer.  To pray with the Word of God means to use the words and events of the Bible for one’s own prayer.  “To be ignorant of Scripture is to be ignorant of Christ” (St. Jerome).  [2652-2653]

 The Gospel in Latin according to the Apostle St. John: “In the beginning was the word…” ..... 491

 “Love is patient, love is kind. It is not jealous, [love] is not pompous, it is not inflated, it is not rude, it does not seek its own interests, it is not quick-tempered, it does not brood over injury,it does not rejoice over wrongdoing but rejoices with the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.”  --Ist Corinthians 13:4-7   --New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

Sacred Scripture, especially the Psalms and the New Testament, are a valuable treasury; in it we find the most beautiful and most powerful prayers of the Judeo-Christian world.  Reciting these prayers unites us with millions of people from all times and cultures who have prayed, but above all with Christ himself, who is present in all these prayers.

“Above all, the Gospels sustain me during my hours of prayer; in them I find everything that my poor little soul needs.  I constantly discover in them new insights, hidden, mysterious meanings.”  --St. Therese of Lisieux (1873-1897)

[2652-2653]

AT THE WELLSPRINGS OF PRAYER

2652 The Holy Spirit is the living water "welling up to eternal life"³ in the heart that prays. It is he who teaches us to accept it at its source: Christ. Indeed in the Christian life there are several wellsprings where Christ awaits us to enable us to drink of the Holy Spirit.--Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

3   John 4:14.

The Word of God

2653 The Church "forcefully and specially exhorts all the Christian faithful . . . to learn 'the surpassing knowledge of Jesus Christ'"* by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures. . . . Let them remember, however, that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that a dialogue takes place between God and man. For 'we speak to him when we pray; we listen to him when we read the divine oracles."'⁴ –CCC

*  (Philippians 3:8).

4  S t. Ambrose, De officiis ministrorum 1,20,88:Patrologia Latina 16,50.

Bible  Book  Apostle  St. John  

Twenty-eighth Sunday in Ordinary Time, October 13, 2019

The Healing of Ten Lepers –Painting by James Tissot, Brooklyn Museum. 

Lectionary: 144

Reading 1 2 KINGS 5:14-17

Naaman went down and plunged into the Jordan seven times at the word of Elisha, the man of God.  His flesh became again like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean of his leprosy.
Naaman returned with his whole retinue to the man of God.  On his arrival he stood before Elisha and said, "Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.  Please accept a gift from your servant."
Elisha replied, "As the LORD lives whom I serve, I will not take it;" and despite Naaman's urging, he still refused.  Naaman said: "If you will not accept, please let me, your servant, have two mule-loads of earth,
for I will no longer offer holocaust or sacrifice to any other god except to the LORD."

Responsorial  PSALM 98:1, 2-3, 3-4

R. (cf. 2b) The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Sing to the LORD a new song,
for he has done wondrous deeds;
his right hand has won victory for him,
his holy arm.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

All the ends of the earth have seen
the salvation by our God.
Sing joyfully to the LORD, all you lands:
break into song; sing praise.

R. The Lord has revealed to the nations his saving power.

Reading 2   2 TIMOtHY 2:8-13

Beloved:
Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David: such is my gospel, for which I am suffering, even to the point of chains, like a criminal.  But the word of God is not chained.  Therefore, I bear with everything for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, together with eternal glory.  This saying is trustworthy: If we have died with him we shall also live with him; if we persevere we shall also reign with him.  But if we deny him he will deny us. If we are unfaithful he remains faithful, for he cannot deny himself.

Alleluia   1 THESSALONIANS 5:18

R. Alleluia, alleluia.
In all circumstances, give thanks,
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.
R. Alleluia, alleluia.

Gospel.  LUKE 17:11-19

As Jesus continued his journey to Jerusalem, he traveled through Samaria and Galilee.  As he was entering a village, ten lepers met him.  They stood at a distance from him and raised their voices, saying,
"Jesus, Master!  Have pity on us!"  And when he saw them, he said, "Go show yourselves to the priests."
As they were going they were cleansed.  And one of them, realizing he had been healed, returned, glorifying God in a loud voice; and he fell at the feet of Jesus and thanked him.  He was a Samaritan.
Jesus said in reply, "Ten were cleansed, were they not? Where are the other nine?  Has none but this foreigner returned to give thanks to God?"  Then he said to him, "Stand up and go; your faith has saved you."

490. Prayer

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 490

Ave Maria series

Is it enough to pray when you feel like praying?

No.  Someone who prays only when he feels like it does not take God seriously and will leave off praying.  Prayer thrives on faithfulness.  [2650]

The Angelus  by Jean-Francois Millet  1857-1859. …..490

… we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, we also groan within ourselves as we wait for adoption, the redemption of our bodies.  For in hope we were saved. Now hope that sees for itself is not hope. For who hopes for what one sees?  But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait with endurance.  In the same way, the Spirit too comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit itself intercedes with inexpressible groanings.  And the one who searches hearts knows what is the intention of the Spirit, because it intercedes for the holy ones according to God’s will. –Romans 8:23-27

[2650]

THE TRADITION OF PRAYER

2650 Prayer cannot be reduced to the spontaneous outpouring of interior impulse: in order to pray, one must have the will to pray. Nor is it enough to know what the Scriptures reveal about prayer: one must also learn how to pray. Through a living transmission (Sacred Tradition) within "the believing and praying Church,"¹ the Holy Spirit teaches the children of God how to pray.

1.  Dei Verbum 8.

Prayer  The Angelus  Jean-Francois 

489. Praise the LORD

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 489

Ave Maria series

What does it mean to praise God?

God needs no applause.  But we are in need to express spontaneously  our delight in God and the rejoicing in our hearts.  We praise God because he exists and because he is good.  We thereby join even now in the eternal praise of the angels and saints in heaven.

As related in the Book of Daniel, these men are Hananiah, Azariah, and Mishael* who were cast into the fiery furnace by  King Nebuchadnezzar. This illustration is found in a painting from the late 3rd century or early 4th century  in the Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome. …..489

*Also known as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego

“Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”  Colossians 4:2

“Prayer does not change God, but it changes the person who prays.”  --Soren Kierkegaard

Daniel  3: 51-92

Then these three Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael (Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego) in the furnace with one voice sang, glorifying and blessing God: 

“Blessed are you, O Lord, the God of our ancestors, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever; 

And blessed is your holy and glorious name, praiseworthy and exalted above all for all ages.

Blessed are you in the temple of your holy glory, praiseworthy and glorious above all forever.

Blessed are you on the throne of your kingdom, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you who look into the depths from your throne upon the cherubim, praiseworthy and exalted above all forever.

Blessed are you in the firmament of heaven, praiseworthy and glorious forever.

Bless the Lord, all you works of the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

You heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you powers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Sun and moon, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Stars of heaven, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Every shower and dew, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you winds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Fire and heat, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Cold and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Dew and rain, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Frost and chill, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Hoarfrost and snow, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Nights and days, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Light and darkness, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Let the earth bless the Lord, praise and exalt him above all forever.

Mountains and hills, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Everything growing on earth, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

You springs, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Seas and rivers, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

You sea monsters and all water creatures, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you birds of the air, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you beasts, wild and tame, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

All you mortals, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

O Israel, bless the Lord;  praise and exalt him above all forever.

Priests of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Servants of the Lord, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.

Hananiah, Azariah, Mishael, bless the Lord; praise and exalt him above all forever.  For he has delivered us from Sheol, and saved us from the power of death;

He has freed us from the raging flame and delivered us from the fire.

Give thanks to the Lord, who is good, whose mercy endures forever.

Bless the God of gods, all you who fear the Lord; praise and give thanks, for his mercy endures forever.”

Then King Nebuchadnezzar was startled and rose in haste, asking his counselors, “Did we not cast three men bound into the fire?” “Certainly, O king,” they answered.  “But,” he replied, “I see four men unbound and unhurt, walking in the fire, and the fourth looks like a son of God.”  ----Daniel  3: 51-92

OT  Fiery  Furnace  Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego

488. Bless the LORD

YOUCAT Catechism + Catechism of the Catholic Church Lesson 488

Ave Maria series

Why should we thank God?

Everything that we are and have comes from God.  Paul says, “What have you that you did not receive?” (1 Corinthians 4:7).  Being grateful to God, the giver of all good things, makes you happy.  [2637-2638, 2648]

King  David playing the harp by Jan de Bray 1670.  The titles of seventy-three psalms mention David, and thirteen of these relate explicitly to incidents in the king's life.  Others named in psalm titles include Asaph (12), the Sons of Korah (11) and Solomon (2). …..488

Psalm 103

1  Bless the LORD, my soul; all my being, bless his holy name!

2  Bless the LORD, my soul; and do not forget all his gifts,

3  Who pardons all your sins, and heals all your ills,

4  Who redeems your life from the pit^,and crowns you with mercy and compassion,

5  Who fills your days with good things, so your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.^*

6  The LORD does righteous deeds, brings justice to all the oppressed.^b

7  He made known his ways to Moses, to the Israelites his deeds.

8  Merciful and gracious is the LORD, slow to anger, abounding in mercy.^c

9  He will not always accuse, and nurses no lasting anger;

10  He has not dealt with us as our sins merit, nor requited us as our wrongs deserve.

11  For as the heavens tower over the earth, so his mercy towers over those who fear him.^d

12  As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our sins from us.

13  As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him.

14  For he knows how we are formed, remembers that we are dust.^e

15  As for man, his days are like the grass; he blossoms like a flower in the field.^f

16  A wind sweeps over it and it is gone; its place knows it no more.

17  But the LORD’s mercy is from age to age, toward those who fear him.

18  His salvation is for the children’s children of those who keep his covenant, and remember to carry out his precepts.

19  The LORD has set his throne in heaven; his dominion extends over all.

20  Bless the LORD, all you his angels,^gmighty in strength, acting at his behest, obedient to his command.

21  Bless the LORD, all you his hosts, his ministers who carry out his will.

22  Bless the LORD, all his creatures, everywhere in his domain.

Bless the LORD, my soul!  Hallelujah!

The greatest prayer of thanks is the “Eucharist” (which means “thanksgiving” in Greek) of Jesus, in which he takes bread and wine so as to offer in them to God all of creation, transformed.  Whenever Christians give thanks, they are joining in Jesus’ great prayer of thanksgiving.  For we, too, are transformed and redeemed by Jesus, and so from the depths of our hearts we can be grateful and tell God this in a variety of ways.

“Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”  1  Thessalonians 5:18

“For what is past—thanks!  For what is to come—yes!”  --Dag Hammarskjold (1905-1961) United Nations Secretary

[2637-2638, 2648]

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

2637 Thanksgiving characterizes the prayer of the Church which, in celebrating the Eucharist, reveals and becomes more fully what she is. Indeed, in the work of salvation, Christ sets creation free from sin and death to consecrate it anew and make it return to the Father, for his glory. The thanksgiving of the members of the Body participates in that of their Head. --CCC

2638 As in the prayer of petition, every event and need can become an offering of thanksgiving. The letters of St. Paul often begin and end with thanksgiving, and the Lord Jesus is always present in it: "Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you"; "Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.”¹²⁰   –CCC

120.   1 Thessalonians 5:18; Colossians 4:2.

IN BRIEF

2648 Every joy and suffering, every event and need can become the matter for thanksgiving which, sharing in that of Christ, should fill one's whole life: "Give thanks in all circumstances" (1Thessalonians 5:18).

--CCC

OT  David Playing the Harp