The work of prayer

Excerpt of the Homily of Most Rev. Romulo Valles, D.D., Archbishop of Davao during the Bibliyampo Congress in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish, Bangkal, Davao City.

The way the church considers the youth today have shifted. According to Cardinal Tagle, based on the message of the Pope in the Christus – Vivit Christ is Alive, it is no longer appropriate to call the youth is the future. But, rather the youth is the now of the church.

You are the present.

And I, as your Archbishop would affirm on this statement.

The prayer for the feast day of the Apostle of St. Bartholomew says, “Strengthen within us our faith, O Lord. Through this, St. Bartholomew, your Apostle, is one with the Son.”

How could this be?

The prayer is always addressed to the Father.

Every time we offer a mass in honor of a Saint, we always offer it to the Father. Therefore, the prayer is always directed to the Lord.

So, because of prayer, we can be one with Christ. St. Bartholomew can testify that.

The Church, in other words US, is the remembrance of salvation to all. Through faith, we can be one with Christ like St. Bartholomew. And through the prayers of the said Saint, we can serve as the recollection of salvation.

Therefore, if we can improve or deepen our faith, it will result to closeness with God.

If we are close and configured with God, or “Christified” for a better term, we will all be witnesses of salvation.

So, it is very evident that the work of prayer can also strengthen faith.