We hardly dare to pray. Something in our psyche tells us that it’s a naïve activity, especially if we have had negative results in the past. A nagging voice questions whether prayer might be the last ditch strategy employed by the desperate. In truth many of us turn to prayer when everything else has failed. Sometimes we turn to prayer in situations where human endeavour has proved futile and we need a miracle. Today’s gospel give tremendous encouragement to those who have forgotten how to pray, or who have lost faith in prayer, “So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; search and you will find, knock, and the door will be opened for you.”
The problem with prayer is that we tend to treat God as though he were a genie in a magic lamp, asking him to help our football team score four goals in the closing minutes of a match, or help us win huge amounts of money to sort out our financial difficulties. Then when God doesn’t answer we imagine that he doesn’t care about us, or that prayer doesn’t work. Perhaps Jesus’ disciples shared some of our frustration when they say, “Lord teach us to pray.” In response Jesus gives us a model by which to pray. It’s important to recognise it as a model and not a prayer as such. Reciting a prayer is not the same as praying. The model pray Jesus gives us, ‘The Lord’s prayer’, invites us to pray to God as our Father, acknowledging his holiness and praying with the shared commitment to have his will done on earth. We are invited to pray for our ‘daily bread’, in other words, for the things we genuinely need. Pray for forgiveness, and promise to forgive others. Pray with persistence. Prayer is about building a relationship with God, speaking to him often throughout the day.
Lastly, and most importantly we should approach God with the faith we approach a loving parent. “What father,” reasons Jesus, “would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish?” or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg?” Even parents with very average parenting skills know how to give children what they need. “How much more,” says Jesus, “will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” Today we are invited ……. Just ask!
Sanctuary Light:
The Sanctuary Light this week has been sponsored for a Special Intention - Baby Ethan Hughes.
Please note:
There will be no Children’s Liturgy until 4th/5th September.
Support Marie Curie Here At St. Matthews:
The Marie Curie Afternoon Tea Party, will take place this coming Saturday, 31st July, in St. Matthew's Church, between 11.30am - 3.00pm.
If you are able to bake cakes, help with the preparations or assist, please sign the list which can be found with Agnes, at the back of church, after Mass this weekend.
Call in before/after you've been shopping and enjoy a home-made cake and a cup of tea. Try your luck on our tombola stall. Have a go at the raffle. Buy some home-made cakes to take home. Please come along and show your support. Please See the notice board at the back of church for more information.
We would still be very grateful for any unwanted gifts to use as prizes for the tombola and raffle. Any last minute gift/prize donations can be left in the Parish office, during normal hours:Mon-Fri 9.00am-12.00pm/2.00pm-4.00pm. Thank you.
Day for Life - 25th July (England and Wales):
Lord, for your faithful people, life is changed, not ended
Day for Life, initiated by the late Pope John Paul II, is the day of the year the Catholic Church in England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales dedicates to celebrating the dignity of human life from conception to natural death.
Day for Life 2010 aims to present the Church’s teaching on death; it will highlight the importance of the sacrament of the sick, of praying for the dead and of accompanying the dying person as they journey towards God. It will also point towards the consoling presence and support of the community of faith and all of those who ‘have gone before us marked with the sign of faith’.
This week’s Special Collection: Day for Life.
Fr. Emmanuel - 20th Anniversary of Ordination: 14th July
If you would like to contribute to the collection, in recognition of Fr. Emmanuel’s 20th Anniversary, please use the relevant brown envelopes, which can be found at the back of church and then post into the green safe. Thank you.
Please remember:
Wednesday evening Mass at 7.00pm to be preceded at 6.00pm by, Exposition/Benediction and the opportunity for Reconciliation.
Sts. Joachim and Anne - 26th July:
Neither is mentioned in the Scriptures but in honouring them as the parents of Our Lady, we honour their child and Christ himself.
St. Martha - 29th July:
She received Christ into her home at Bethany, which was specially love by Him. Christ once again had supper there six days before His Passion. It was she who elicited from him the words “I am the Resurrection and the Life.”
Calling all Knitters: Help knit 3000 blankets by the end of 2010!
It is estimated that there are 11.6 million orphans in sub-Saharan Africa. 1.4 million live in South Africa. Many of these children are AIDS orphans or have been abandoned. Many live in great poverty in shack settlements. Some head up families of their siblings together with other children and some live alone, without shelter, in hills and dumps around the cities.
While other children's charities work hard to provide food and shelter, 'Kas Care' has decided to provide warmth, and you can help. If you love crocheting and knitting for charity, you can contribute by making and sending 8"/20cm squares to help keep a cold orphan warm. The goal for 2010 is 105,000 squares (.... that's 3000 blankets!).
If you are interested in this project, please see Agnes, Joan or Pat after weekend Mass.
50/50 Club Members: The prize money paid out for the draw held on Sunday 18th July was £96.00 and the winning number was 254. Congratulations to the winner and thanks to all those who support this venture.
Remember you’ve got to be in it to win it!
