TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15) - THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

“Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Mt 6:9-10)

FIRST READING - Is 55:10-11

A reading from the Book of Isaiah

Thus says the LORD:

Just as from the heavens

the rain and snow come down

And do not return there

till they have watered the earth,

making it fertile and fruitful,

Giving seed to the one who sows

and bread to the one who eats,

So shall my word be

that goes forth from my mouth;

It shall not return to me void,

but shall do my will,

achieving the end for which I sent it.

GOSPEL OF THE DAY - Mt 6:7-15

From the Gospel according to Matthew

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 men their transgressions,

your heavenly Father will forgive you.

But if you do not forgive men,

neither will your Father forgive your transgressions."

TUESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF LENT - Gospel (Matthew 6:7-15)

THE WORD OF GOD FOR EVERYONE

Dear People of God,

In today's Word of God:

God lets everyone know that there is no other religion or god who loves and is as close to people as God does. God always takes care of people and teaches us every little detail. He teaches us how to pray to please God, which no god can teach humans like that. That prayer is “The Lord’s Prayer” also known as the “Our Father."

The "Our Father" that Jesus taught to His disciples and humanity in this world is the only prayer that brings happiness and eternal life to humanity.

This is the prayer that brings happiness and eternal life to humanity.

It is a living prayer, not a theoretical prayer spoken on the lips.

God wants us to put our prayers into practice to our Almighty God, to our loving and merciful Father, for all people are sinners before God, and no one is righteous before Him.

When a person prays to God the Father: “Our Father, Who art in Heaven," God sends an important message that God is the Father of all creatures, both humans and angels. As for humans, God does not differentiate between good and evil, rich and poor, hungry and well-fed, pagans or Catholics.

“Our Father, Who art in Heaven" also carries an important meaning that all human beings are brothers and sisters, for we have only one Father in Heaven.

Therefore, we should re-examine our behavior. Have we considered everyone as our brothers and sisters? If we are brothers and sisters, we must: Know how to forgive our fellow human beings.

Do not hold grudges, hatred, or harbor envy, for hatred causes sin, and sin does not belong to God. For In His Kingdom, there is no hatred, but only love. Whoever wants to follow Satan must keep hatred, jealousy, envy, and pride in their heart.

Whoever wants to follow God must live in love, forgiveness, kindness, altruism, and humility. God always gives people freedom.

Whoever chooses God should live according to what God teaches in the Lord’s Prayer, but whoever follows Satan should keep hatred within themselves.

Those who are living in hatred and jealousy must forgive their fellow human beings so that God can forgive their sins.

-We must return to God and abandon our sinful selves. To be closely united with Him so that "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven." As human beings, we must live a holy life right here on earth so that heaven and earth are not separated nor divided but are one.

Heaven is the earth, and the earth becomes Heaven.

Today, the Lord’s Prayer that God teaches to humanity is based on God's two commandments: to love God above all things and to love others as yourself.

Thanks be to God. Amen.