Your Father Who is in Secret | Bible Study W/ Aquinas

Today we'll take a look at what Thomas Aquinas has to say about our Lord's words in Matthew 6:6-7: But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases."
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[@sheepscousin8475]

Love the Bible studies. Not enough Catholics read or study their bibles, which is the source of our faith, God bless!

[@josephjude1290]

This also reminds me of the Jesus prayer as practiced by the monks on Mount Athos.

[@awm9290]

Ahh man i love this!!! The timing for this bible study is perfect for my family. These sound like conversations my baptist wife and I have been having about prayer recently. She grew up being taught a very anti-catholic view of the liturgies and common prayers in general (an all too common problem in my part of the country). I have the hardest time putting my thoughts into words, but that's my own personal failing in explaining, not her being close-minded. I can't wait for the next one. Thanks so much for this Matt!

[@Archangel76]

Matt, responding to your request for feedback on these - they're amazing, and honestly my favorite content from PWA. There are many different podcasts and YT channels (even within the faithful Catholic sphere) competing for our time and attention, so this format is a winner among them for a few reasons: 1) Short and highly focused - these feel very stripped down to essentials (no music, intro'ing a person, etc), and you keep the subject down to just a few lines. All great. I recommend preserving these aspects for the Bible Study content, while certainly appreciating the need for sponsor promotion and other things in the rest of the PWA menu. 2) Episode title and episode length tell you exactly what you're getting, and there is a great expectation : lesson-learned ratio 3) You have a talent for speaking and explaining confidently and clearly, and you read scripture and Aquinas in a very natural way. Content-wise, I can't think of any criticisms. These are great, and listening to them feels like privileged eavesdropping on a conversation between you, Aquinas, and the Lord.

[@lighttrooper2949]

These Bible Studies are like that new song that you can't stop listening to. I converted from a charismatic church and prayer always felt off a bit for me. This outward form of prayer does come with baggage as Matt stated. I had the "AH HA" moment today listening to Augustine's word. I always felt that prayer should be more reverent and simple. "I’m not here to ask for something. Lord, Your presence is valuable to me and is worth more than any goal or desire I have."

[@mary_quin]

Just like what you said Matt, prayer in silence makes me feel that I am more in touch with the Lord and feels his presence more! Thank you for today and stay safe always!

[@sarahburke8955]

This was so helpful to me! I grew up in a Southern Baptist family (my parents are now faithful Catholics, thanks be to God), where long rambling prayers especially before meals, are expected. When it comes to my own prayer life, I've always felt like I didn't have "enough" to say. This really put things in perspective, and it encourages me to just say to God what I have to say without feeling that I've somehow got to "fill it out" with needless and probably empty phrases. When I can't think of anything else, and my heart is troubled, the Hail Mary is literally a life saver, but the Jesus Prayer is so wonderful as well. I have to say, I was on the edge of my seat when you mentioned kneeling vs. not kneeling- I've been that person kneeling while the rest of the congregation stood!

[@juliesaddler9775]

Thank you for the studies, please keep doing them.

[@STerranova61]

This was a real blessing Matt. Thanks so much for doing these Bible Studies!

[@JoaquimCarlosjoshua]

You're are a fine lad, Matt. I'll do my best to see this channel burst in subs. All my love.

[@josephjude1290]

I really think liturgically as well; instead of hymns use the Roman gradual. They are all scriptural based as well.

[@nancysomogyi9371]

This was helpful. Is reading a prayer (not reciting it out loud) just as effective as silent prayer or is it actually silent prayer? If the prayers of the rosary are led by a person on a video, can we respond silently or should we be responding aloud?

[@loganrieck4750]

Prayer is effective when it comes from yourself with heartfelt attention, silently or out loud. I do think that there is something special about saying it aloud, though, as it forces your body to also participate in devotion. Just focus on the Lord above all.

[@nancysomogyi9371]

@@loganrieck4750 Thank you.

[@sophiasilva5866]

❤️❤️

[@bijoythewimp2854]

Matt, I have a doubt. Praying to saints, does that mean they are All knowing in heaven? . Btw, I am Catholic. This one troubled me a little while

[@rollasix7238]

Nope. God has granted them the ability to hear our prayer requests to them though. So go ahead and ask them to pray for you and your intentions :)

[@servant5795]

May I ask where you got your commentary? All I could find on the internet seemed to be different versions. They did not have the same numbered exactness as your St. Thomas commentary on Matthew. Or am I the one lacking understanding about how a commentary works?

[@dannyallen2894]

Can you give an example of what is confusing you?

[@servant5795]

@@dannyallen2894 Um, in Matt's version it says, "and there are three ways" etc. then proceeds to enumerate every factor. In the other versions flying out there, there is none of that.

[@servant5795]

@Ed Oh, wow thanks!

[@rezzygaming9022]

May I ask where you get your commentary’s from and what book it is?

[@rezzygaming9022]

Noah Perez thank you :)

[@Noah-wb2xo]

@@rezzygaming9022 www.christianbook.com/catena-aurea-commentary-four-gospels-volumes/thomas-aquinas/9781905574506/pd/574506?product_redirect=1&search_term=thomas%20aquinas%20gospel%20comm&Ntt=574506&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP (this is same person, just my PC account)

[@stpatrick614]

What did you mean by charismatic praying has it's own baggage?

[@hatelovenothing2744]

Alexander Anderson? Does that name mean anything to you?

[@laureneonunkwo4519]

Sorry but do you look medieval on purpose? 😂💖

[@rachidrifai3441]

U have a vibe U try to look happier than u realy are