Dear Brothers and Sisters! Prayer is a dialogue with God. Every creature, in some sense, dialogues with God. Within the human being, prayer becomes word, invocation, hymn, and poetry. The Divine Word is made flesh, and in each person’s flesh, the word returns to God in the form of prayer.

The first human prayer is always a spoken recitation. The lips always move first. Although we all know that praying does not mean just repeating words, vocal prayer is nevertheless the surest way and it can always be practiced. Feelings, on the other hand, however noble, are always uncertain. They come and go. They leave us and return. Not only that, but the graces of prayer are also unpredictable. At times, consolations abound, but on the darkest days, they seem to evaporate completely. The prayer of the heart is mysterious. At certain times, it is lacking.

Instead, the prayer of the lips, that which is whispered or sung is always accessible. It is as necessary as manual labor. The Catechism states: “Vocal prayer is an essential element of the Christian life. To his disciples, drawn by their Master’s silent prayer, Jesus teaches us a vocal prayer, the Our Father (n. 2701).” When the disciples said: “Teach us how to pray”, Jesus taught them a spoken prayer — the Lord’s Prayer. Everything is right there in that prayer.

We should all have the humility of certain elderly people, who in the church recite quietly the prayers that they learned as children, filling the nave with whispers. That prayer does not disturb the silence, but rather testifies to their fidelity to the duty of prayer, practiced throughout their lives without fail. These practitioners of humble prayer are often the great intercessors in our parishes. They are the oaks that from year to year spread their branches to offer shade to the greatest number of people. Only God knows when and how much their hearts have been united to the prayers they recite. These people surely had to face dark nights and empty moments, but one can always remain faithful to vocal prayer. It is like an anchor. One can hold on to the rope and remain faithful, come what may.

Therefore, we must not disregard vocal prayer. We might say: “Ah, this is for children, for ignorant folk. I am seeking mental prayer, meditation, the inner void so that God might come to me.” Please, do not succumb to the pride of scorning vocal prayer. It is the prayer of the simple. It is the prayer that Jesus taught us: “Our Father, who art in heaven…” The words we speak take us by the hand. At times, they restore flavor. They awaken the sleepiest of hearts. They reawaken feelings we had forgotten. And they lead us by the hand toward the experience of God. Above all, these spoken words are the only ones that, in a sure way, direct to God the questions he wants to hear. Jesus did not leave us in a fog. He told us: “Pray like this (See Matthew 6:9).” And then, he taught us the Lord’s Prayer.

Note: This week’s message is adapted from the Holy Father’s reflection during his General Audience on April 21, 2021. All are also invited to read and reflect on the complete English text, which is available by clicking on the link below.

CCGR Weekly Newsletter (4-25-21)
Bringing Home the Word (4-25-21)
The Kids Bulletin (4-25-21)
Home Prayer Service
Pope Francis: General Audience (4-21-21)

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Call to Prayer
A Prayer to the Good Shepherd
Fourth Sunday of Easter

Good Shepherd Sunday – April 25, 2021