“God is Not a ‘Snowflake’”
Father Peter Fitzgibbons
October 15 – 16, 2022
Gospel: Luke 18:1-8
1 Then He told them a parable about the need to pray continually and never lose heart. 2 ‘There was a judge in a certain town,’ He said, ‘who had neither fear of God nor respect for anyone. 3 In the same town there was also a widow who kept on coming to him and saying, “I want justice from you against my enemy!” 4 For a long time he refused, but at last he said to himself, “Even though I have neither fear of God nor respect for any human person, 5 I must give this widow her just rights since she keeps pestering me, or she will come and slap me in the face.” ‘ 6 And the Lord said, ‘You notice what the unjust judge has to say? Now will not God see justice done to His elect if they keep calling to Him day and night even though He still delays to help them? 8 I promise you, He will see justice done to them, and done speedily. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find any faith on earth?’
I’m going to save you some time and money. There’s no need to go to a conference or buy a book to learn how to pray. So, what is the secret to prayer? The secret to prayer is praying. You have to do it. That’s it. That’s the whole thing. What is prayer? It is “cor ad cor loquitor” or heart speaking to heart. That’s what your prayer is. I’ve been in some interesting places, and I have prayed that He get me the heck out of wherever I was. Your prayers don’t have to be Shakespearean, but they have to be from the heart. Sometimes during prayer, our minds drift off. . .”Oh! Look, squirrel.” Just bring your mind back. Prayer is an act of love. Prayer is an act of faith because you believe that Someone who loves you will hear you. Prayer is an act of hope because you believe that Someone who loves you will give you what you ask. So, you are exercising three theological virtues when you pray.
I remember talking to this one lady who was praying in one specific way. She was going to claim it, she was going to pray in the right name, and she was going to do this and that. I said, “Really?” Do you think that all the parents waiting outside the children’s hospitals in Charlotte and Concord didn’t pray correctly, and therefore God killed their kids? Do you think, “Oh, you didn’t mention the correct name. Your kid is going to die because you screwed up.” Do you really think so? Love is over time. God is not a cosmic gum-ball machine in which you can flip in a quarter and “Boom” get whatever you want anytime you ask. That’s called “name it and claim it, love it and grab it.” Now, we may not have gotten what we wanted, but lots of times we get something far better. That’s what our Lord does. So never feel defeated or disconsolate by prayer. If you are thinking, “It’s all the same and I’m talking to a wall,” that’s a temptation from satan. God always hears our prayers. God always answers our prayers in His own time and in His own way.
Prayers do not change God. . .prayer changes us. It makes us more receptive to the Will of God. Maybe we are asking for something too small. Sometimes though, we have to take “no” for an answer. Now, I have been ordained for 38 ½ years, and I’m still not a Monsignor. I think I’m going to stop asking and move on to more important things other than my personal prestige. But prayer changes us and draws us closer to God. By the way, if you happen to get very upset with God and use some very earthly, Anglo-Saxon words in your prayers, it’s okay. God is not a “snowflake.” He does not take offense; rather, He adores your passion. You can only get mad at people you love because you expect better. As Saint Teresa of Avila said, “Lord, if this is how you treat your friends, no wonder you have so few.” The secret to prayer is what? Doing it.
How will you apply this message to your life? ________________________________
