The Gospel of today's mass is an invitation to personal prayer. Our Lord, who gives us this teaching about prayer, Himself practised what He preached throughout His life on earth. The Gospel tells us about the many times Jesus withdrew by Himself to pray. The Apostles and the first Christians, and then all those who have ever wanted to follow the Master closely have taken up His example. Daily prayer helps us, makes us strong in trials and difficulties, and by its means we learn to serve others. It also gives light to our way, enabling us to see clearly the obstacles that obstruct our path. Personal prayer moves us to do our work better and to fulfill our family and social duties, besides influencing our relationships with others.

But specially in prayer we are "with Jesus". We give ourselves to Him, to know Him and we learn how to love. The way we do depends on many circumstances. Frequently the best way is to study a passage of the Gospel and contemplate the humanity of Jesus, learning to grow in love for Him since one does not love what one does not know well. In prayer, one thing is true: Jesus never leaves us without abundant graces for the whole of that day. He always shows His gratitude generously for the time we have spent with Him.