It just seems to make common sense that you have to have all the parts in order to make something complete. For example, if a bike is missing the wheels . . . . it is incomplete. How frustrating would it be to work on a 5,000 piece puzzle and discover some of the pieces were missing? Or if you are in the kitchen, how are you going to prepare something if you do not have all of the ingredients? I might have it in my mind to bake a cherry pie but what if I do not have any cherries for my cherry pie? Again, it only makes sense that we must have all the parts or all the ingredients on hand if we are going to make something. In essence, St. Paul is saying this to the Philippians in the fourth chapter of that epistle when he writes: " . . . . but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made know unto God." (Philippians 4:6) When it comes to prayer, very often we are missing some of the elements. Many people only pray when they need something. Many of us only go to God when we are in need of a favor from Him. And it is fine to go to God when you are in need of something . .. or in trouble . . . or in need of mercy . . . . after all, God is our loving Father and He wants to be there for His children. But, that being said, we should not ONLY approach God solely when we need something. That would be the equivalent of a neighbor who won't give you the time of day but will only come to you when they need something. Or having a relative that never contacts you except when they need to borrow some money. We need to go to God in prayer not only when we need something from Him. This is what St. Paul is saying. We need to also praise Him when we pray. And we certainly need to pray in Thanksgiving when we pray. In other words, we need to thank Him for the many blessings He bestows upon us during our lifetime. "Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms." (Psalm 94:2) Christmas is the season of giving. Let each of us focus on giving more time to God. Let us dedicate more prayer time to God. Do not let the fast pace of the world and all the being busy in life keep us from approaching God. Let us take time each day from our busy lives in order to dedicate that time solely to God.
Two opportunities to join us for Mass on Sunday, December 20th, 2015:
St. Margaret Church meets every Sunday morning at 9:30 AM. We celebrate Mass at the beautiful chapel at Marquette Manor, which is located at 8140 N. Township Line Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis.
Holy Spirit Church meets every Sunday at 1:00 PM. We celebrate Mass at the beautiful, historic First Presbyterian Church which is located at 116 W. South Street, at the corner of Pennsylvania and South Streets, in Greenfield, Indiana.
Join us as we listen to the Word of God found in the King James Version of the Bible and the 1928 Book of Common Prayer. Listen to what God has to say to you through the liturgy and the Bible-based preaching. Worship God in traditional worship and receive Holy Communion so that you can be nourished and strengthened.
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