Sometimes we pride ourselves in having such a good democratic system, a claim which indeed is debatable. We value individual freedom and liberty, the right to choose and decide for ourselves how to live our lives. And while we do not suffer dictators, we seem to want to dictate to God, make God do things our way, and leave us masters of our own destiny. Some even abandon faith and prayer, because God has not granted their requests.
 
In the Our Father we pray “thy will be done”, not demand to have our own way. When we need a favor, we must ask for it with prayer and thanksgiving, because God answers prayer, even if not precisely in the way we expect. Ultimately, says Jesus, God grants only what is for our good. We need to thank God from the heart, like Naaman did in the first reading after his cure, or like the leper who was grateful to Jesus in the Gospel.
 
Isn’t it hard to believe that we are already in the middle of October? The weather is cooler, the leaves are changing, and it is getting dark earlier.
 
Have a blessed week,
Fr. Matt