Reflection for June 19 Thursday of the Eleventh Week in Ordinary Time: Matthew 6:7-15

Gospel: Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.  

“This is how you are to pray: ‘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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.’

“If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”

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Reflection:

What is the prayer that reaches God? 

It is the prayer that springs from the heart—a prayer whispered in the quiet of our soul. Whether long or short, it is the sincerity of our hearts that matters most. 

Our Lord Jesus gave us the perfect prayer: the Our Father. It is perfect not only because it came from His lips, But because it draws us directly into the heart of God. Jesus Himself taught us to pray it. What a sacred gift! 

But let us ask ourselves honestly: Do we pray it with our hearts fully present? Or do we recite it while our minds wander? 

Think of those moments at Holy Mass—How do we pray the Our Father? Do we close our eyes to shut out distractions? Or do we pray it half-aware, our thoughts elsewhere? 

One beautiful way to pray this prayer is with our eyes closed—to remove all that might steal our attention, so we may focus entirely on the One who listens. 

Deep within, we long for that holy connection—to feel God’s nearness through this prayer, and through the silent prayers we offer from our hearts.  We especially feel this longing in times of loneliness, trials, and discouragement. It is in these sacred valleys of our lives that we hunger and thirst most deeply for God. 

Why? Because only God can truly satisfy. Only He gives meaning to our lives. So today, let us pray not just with our lips, But with hearts lifted in love, humility, and reverence. 

Let us allow every word of the Our Father to draw us closer to Him— The Father who sees in secret, And who hears every prayer spoken from the depths of the soul. – Marino J. Dasmarinas