Various things which rebuke my Spirit of Prayer

Gospel Thoughts

*Ordinary Season : 19th Week - Saturday*

*GOSPEL - Mt 19:13-15*

*First Reading - Jos 24:14-29*

*Various things which rebuke my Spirit of Prayer*

*1) Disciples rebuked the People who wanted to come to Jesus*

People wanted to come to Jesus along with their children, for the prayer 

The intention of the people was to have blessings from Jesus. They wanted their children to be blessed by Jesus, by laying hands on them 

So people came along with their children to meet Jesus 

But the disciples rebuked the people and asked them to go back without meeting Jesus 

In a way the disciples of Jesus became a hurdle for the people to come to Jesus 

*2) Things which rebuke our spirit of prayer in the Modern world*

There are many things which rebuke our spirit of prayer in order to weaken our prayer life. We need to be careful from such things. Some of them may be following

*Modern Media* At times the modern media has become a threat to our spirit of prayer. The colourful temptations for various worldly things rebuke our spirit of prayer. We need to be very careful about it 

*Mobile* This is another powerful instrument which rebuke our spirit of prayer. With mobile, the WhatsApp, mobile games, various types of addiction have become a real headache to everyone, which really rebuke our spirit of Prayer and holiness 

*Time* Time has become very important concept to every one. Today every one runs after time. *Busy* and *no time* are the slogans of the day. These slogans really rebuke and threaten the spirit of prayer 

*The need of Prayer* Today many are feeling that prayer is not needed. Some say  *I don't get anything by praying* such kinds of attitude really rebuke my spirit of prayer 

*The Culture of Things*  Materialism or Love for worldly things, and the belief that things in life will make our life meaningful and rich. Such attitude really rebuke our spirit of prayer 

*Eating Culture* The fast food culture, alcohol, drugs, and the greed to eating, also rebuke my spirit of prayer. So need to be very care ful 

*Bad habits* Bad habits like, cheating, lying, taking revenge, jealousy, hypocrisy, gossip, are other dangerous things which threaten our spirit of prayer 

*3) People were not frightened about the Disciples*

When the people were rebuked by the disciples, they didn't go back. They remained there because they wanted by all means their children to be blessed by Jesus 

In other words the determination of the people were so great, they didn't give up fight for the blessing. 

Ultimately people won in their fight and they were lucky to be blessed by Jesus 

*4) The intervention of Jesus*

When the disciples rebuked, Jesus intervened, and asked His disciples not to rebuke them but to allow them to come to Him 

First of all Jesus was very near to the people and Knew the exactly what the wanted 

Secondly Jesus' intervention is to bless the people and to make them Holy 

Finally Jesus layed His hands on them and blessed their children and He made all them holy. 

*5) What are the things which rebuke/threaten my spirit of prayer Life?*

As we reflected above it is very important to reflect about those things which threaten my spirit of prayer life 

Pride, anger, jealousy, greed, revengeful attitude, desire for bodily pleasures, hypocrisy, arrogance, selfishness, narrow-mindedness, hated, miserliness etc. 

*Think about it*

*God bless you and your family. Praying for you and your dear ones*

*Fr Maxim Dsouza*

*Jeppu Seminary*

*Mangalore*