God hears all our prayers

Readings for Wednesday June 3, 2009

Memorial of Saint Charles Lwanga, martyr, and his companions, martyrs

First Reading: Tobit 3:1-11, 16-17
Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 25
Gospel: Mark 12:18-17


At that very time, the prayer of these two suppliants was heard in the glorious presence of Almighty God. So Raphael was sent to heal them both: to remove the cataracts from Tobit's eyes, so that he might again see God's sunlight; and to marry Raguel's daughter Sarah to Tobit's son Tobiah, and then drive the wicked demon Asmodeus from her. (Tobit 3:16-17)

From the first reading we see two people going through a very difficult time in their lives. Tobit, a devout and faithful Jew, was blinded by cataracts; and Sarah has tried to marry seven times with each husband dying due to a demon. In their great sorrow, each of them turn their prayers to the Lord and ask for His help. While they did not know it, their prayers were heard and God had sent one of his angels to help Tobit and Sarah in their struggles.

Like Sarah and Tobit, we too face very trying times and times where we have just lost all hope and want to give up. But in these times we cannot give up, on both God and ourselves. We must continue to turn to God and pray to Him, as Tobit ad Sarah had done. While we may want God to just clap His hands and make everything right at that instant, it does not work like that. God works in the time that is necessary; sometimes this is quickly, and sometimes this happens slowly. The important thing that we must remember is that we have a God who loves us deeply and who does hear our prayers. He will take care of us and all of our needs. Even when it does not seem like it, He is there working.

In today's reading, we see that Tobit, in his despair wishes for the Lord to take his life. While the Lord did hear his prayers, God had something much better in store for Him. God does not want to take away life, He wants to give it. While it is certainly hard and trying to follow God, we must always trust that He will answer our prayers, perhaps not the way we wanted or thought they should be answered, but He will answer them the way in which is best for us.

We must always remember that God hears all of our prayers. He has a great plan for both you and me, may we always trust in His perfect plan. May the Lord's will be done in all of our lives!

Father above, we thank you and praise you for the gift of this day. Lord, we praise you for all your love and mercy. Lord forgive us for all the times in our lives when we did not acknowledge your great works in our life, and did not give you the thanks and glory for your mighty deeds. Lord, we know you seek to give us all new life, may we follow you more closely until that day. We pray for all those who are spiritually dead, may they find your truth and may their hearts long for you. We ask this all through Christ our Lord. Amen.