Expert: Sal - 1/10/2008

Question
In the Bible I remember Jesus saying we should not repeat our prayers continuiously, Why than, Does the Catholic Mass repeat itself continuiously and not use the time to teach their people?


Answer
Dear Gerry:

“But when ye pray, use not vain repetition, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking” (Matthew 6:7). The key phrase is “vain repetition”. Jesus is not condemning all repetitious prayer. He emphasizes “vain” prayer. Jesus’ example of vain prayer is that of the heathen. The heathen used the mere number of prayers to obtain their supposed “gods’” favor. The main reason that the heathen’s prayer was vain is that they were not praying to anyone. Their gods didn’t exist. In Matthew 6:7 Jesus could not be condemning all repetitious prayer or he would be condemning himself. Jesus used repetitious prayer in the Garden of Gethsemani (see Matthew 26:36-44). Beyond this fact what is repetitious? Is it saying the same prayer twice in a day? A week? A month? A year?

God Bless,
Sal