DO NOT BABBLE

 

The title of my homily is, “Do Not Babble”

Jesus says that in today’s gospel.

When praying, “Do not babble.”

I believe we can say that of his preaching as well. “Don’t babble.”

I like the comments by President  Calvin Coolidge about this theme I want to preach about today.

For example: “Nobody gets in trouble by listening.”

And Dorothy Parker  once said to Coolidge,  “I have a bet with someone that I can get you to say  more than two words and he said with a smile on his face, “You lose.”

Walter T. Tatara said, "Surely the shortest commencement addresses -  in history and for me one of the most memorable - was that of Dr. Harold E. Hyde, president of New Hampshire Plymouth State College. He reduced his message to the graduating class to these three ideals: 'Know yourself - Socrates. Control yourself. Cicero. Give yourself. Christ.'"

All this is triggered by today’s gospel.

Jesus said,

When praying: don’t babble. Not too many words.

See God as our Father.

Hallowed be God’s name.

Pray that God’s kingdom comes about.

Pray that God’s will be done.

Give us our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.

Lead us not into temptation.

Deliver us from evil.

Amen