DAILY HOMILIES #the Ark of God

Those who treat prayer like magic have no respect for God. They see themselves as powerful and regard God as an object that will always do their bidding. Instead of begging God, they issue commands. Instead of acknowledging their nothingness like John the Baptist, who said he was unfit to untie the sandals of Jesus, they boast of their powers and even give themselves titles. Instead of praying for others and telling them not to publicise it (as Jesus did in today’s Gospel passage), they bring cameras to televise it. They reduce the sanctuary to a stage on which people clap and drop money onto the floor for the performer (in this case, the man of God). Church services quickly transform into concerts when prayer is seen as magic.