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Gospel Reading for June 18, 2026 – Matthew 6: 7-15
OBEY AS WE PRAY
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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Jesus teaches that when we pray, we should not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words. He then gives us the perfect model of prayer—the Our Father.
In the Catholic Church, there are four fundamental forms of prayer, often remembered by the acronym ACTS: Adoration, Contrition, Thanksgiving, and Supplication. The Our Father beautifully incorporates all four, which is why it is often regarded as the perfect and complete prayer.
However, even if we were to pray the Our Father every minute of every hour, our prayer would be little more than empty repetition if we do not strive to live what we pray. Whether it is a traditional prayer or a personal conversation with God, prayer finds its fullest meaning only when it leads us to obedience. To pray sincerely is not merely to recite words, but to allow those words to shape our thoughts, attitudes, and actions.
When we pray, “Thy will be done,” we must be willing to do God’s will. When we pray, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us,” we must be willing to forgive. Prayer becomes truly fruitful when we OBEY AS WE PRAY.
Our Father in heaven, we thank you for the countless graces you bestow upon us each day. May we show our gratitude not only with our words but also with our actions, by faithfully caring for all those whom you have entrusted and continue to entrust to our care!
