Unity with God Through Heartfelt Prayer – Jan 28 – Homily – Fr Terrance

 

Fr Terrance gives the homily at Bloomington, IN, on Jan 28, 2026, emphasizing prayer as essential for a holy spirituality, highlighting its relational nature, the importance of heart over externals, and practical advice for consistent daily practice.

Father opens by praising Jesus and Mary, continuing his series on counsels for holy spirituality with the third on prayer, following charity and humility. He asserts that true spirituality forms us as people of prayer, making life worthwhile. Citing Luke 18:1, he recalls Jesus' parable urging disciples to pray always without losing heart. Father references St. Paul's calls to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18), be constant (Romans 12:12), and pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Defining prayer as raising mind and heart to God for adoration, praise, thanksgiving, petition, or forgiveness, he notes its bodily aspects like postures and liturgies, yet stresses the core is interior union with the Lord. Externals can aid but may mask insincere hearts, as critiqued in the Gospels against the Pharisees. Quoting CCC 2562, “It is the heart that prays. If our heart is far from God, the words of prayer are in vain.” In Christian life, right doctrine, behavior, and relationships intertwine, with prayer as the intimate bond that shares life in God's infinite love. Like human ties, it demands nurturing time, not just transactional deals—avoid treating God as a spiritual ATM; He seeks love. Father advises consistency: daily set-aside time, plus spontaneous outreach, and pray as you can according to your vocation, not imitating monastic intensity if lay. He cautions against expectations of overzealous friars, reminding that God sanctifies in one's state. Urging the disciple's plea, “Lord, teach us to pray” (Luke 18:1), he cites CCC 2559 on prayer as God's gift to seek. Prayer experiences differ—consolations, insights, dryness, distractions, stillness (Psalm 46:10), groans, or struggles—but aim to align mind, heart, and will with God's for abiding union (John 15:4-5). For routines, he suggests 20-30 minutes meditation (e.g., Lectio Divina), 10-15 minutes spiritual reading, morning/evening offerings, daily rosary, examen, Liturgy of the Hours, Mass, or adoration. If time is lacking, pray for more. His next homily will be on St. Thérèse's ideas on prayer.

For Further Reading:
Luke 18:1 - Parable of the persistent widow - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/luke/18?1
Ephesians 6:18 - Pray at all times - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/ephesians/6?18
Romans 12:12 - Constant in prayer - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/romans/12?12
1 Thessalonians 5:17 - Pray without ceasing - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1thessalonians/5?17
Psalm 46:10 - Be still and know - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/psalms/46?10
John 15:4-5 - Abide in me always - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/john/15?4
CCC 2558 - Prayer, Raising mind and heart to God - http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc/p4s1.htm#2558
St. Thérèse of Lisieux - Little Way prayer - https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-therese-of-lisieux/
Catholic Prayer, Catholic Answers - Basics of Christian prayer - https://www.catholic.com/tract/the-gift-of-prayer

Ave Maria!

Mass: St. Thomas Aquinas - Mem - http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=2530
Readings: Wednesday 3rd Week of Ordinary Time - http://usccb.org/bible/readings/012826.cfm
1st: 2sa 7:4-17
Resp: psa 89:4-5, 27-30
Gsp: mar 4:1-20

More on the Readings: https://airmaria.com/r?m=1024&r=1579

Also on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tZX_jPGP1ck