In to-day's Gospel the demoniacs address Jesus as "Son of God". Is this a sign that they respect Him? Probably not. It would be true to say that they fear Him as one who has more power than themselves. At that time there was a superstitious belief that if one knew the name of a god or spirit one could exert pressure to have one's request granted. This may be the reason why in Matthew 6:7, Jesus told His listeners not to "heap up empty phrases" when they were praying. This could refer to attempts to curry favour or to use every god-like name that one knew in the hope that by luckily hitting on the "right" name one could force an unsuspecting or unwilling god to deliver the goods! Could we be farther than this from true prayer?

In the first reading we find another reason why, through the prophet Amos, God told the people of Israel that He would not accept the sacrifices of those who behaved unjustly to their fellow men and women. Sacrifice to God and injustice to one's neighbours was a contradiction in terms. The covenant with God included as essential elements mercy and justice towards all. A similar message emerges from today's Responsorial Psalm.

Prayer is not a magic formula which works irrespective of our dispositions; nor is it a powerful weapon to force concessions from a reluctant God. Our Heavenly Father is poised to receive the prayers of a simple, humble, merciful God-fearing heart.