To Work is to Prayer

Acts 6:1-7, Jn 6:16-21. Preaching the word of God and serving at table are both important and necessary mission of Christ that today's first reading present before us. However, we must never forget the sequence: service comes before the preaching of the word of God. It is not rare to find well-meaning Christians immersed in works of charity with no much time left for prayer and meditation on the word of God. They often find consolation in the saying, 'to work is to pray.' Of course, if we engage in 'the work of the Lord', we must not forget 'the Lord of the work'.

All the works of the disciples as presented by today's Gospel becomes hazardous and futile, until Christ is welcomed into the boat and is allowed to take the center-stage.  We find this in some of our practices, as some of us are so engrossed in social work, walking outside ourselves, that we have lost connection with our 'interior spaces'. Prayer and the word of God must become the anchor for all service. Today is an opportune time to reflect on how well the word of God and works of charity are synchronized in our lives. This implies that when we forge ahead recklessly without reference to Jesus, we are in danger of sinking. The Lord is always near on our voyage of life, to help us back on course again. We must open ourselves up to the Lord’s calming and strengthening presence. Also, prayer strengthens us to be channels of His presence to others.

May the Lord help us to be faithful ministers of the word of God and be dedicated to His service! Amen!! Good morning and happy weekend!!!