Reflecting on Jesus’ teaching on the Our Father and prayer (Luke 11:1-13), I talked about the Trinity, especially the divine person of the Holy Spirit, at the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass at St. Anthony of Padua and 9 a.m. Masses at St. Teresa of Avila in South Ozone Park in Queens, New York, on Sunday, July 27, 2025.

The recording is from the 5 p.m. Vigil Mass.

Text of the homily

Today’s Gospel on prayer introduces us to the Trinity.

Jesus teaches us to address His Father in heaven as “Our Father” because we became children of God in the Son in the sacrament of Baptism. Each petition in Luke’s version of the Our Father reveals the power of the Holy Spirit.

First, the arrival of Holy Spirit at Pentecost reveals that the name of the God the Father is holy and that His Kingdom is arriving here on earth.

Second, the Eucharist, this daily bread which we are about to receive, comes about through the words of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Third, we receive and give forgiveness through the Holy Spirit in the sacrament of Confession.

Finally, we are not “subject to the final test” because the Holy Spirit, our Paraclete, our advocate, our lawyer, is with us. Jesus mentions that during our difficulties, the Holy Spirit will give us the right words to say.

Through the presence and love of the Holy Spirit, we learn from Jesus to pray with perseverance and trust. Just as each divine person, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, gives and receives fully in the Trinity, we, the children of God, must learn to give and receive fully to God in our prayers. We shares our joys hopes, fears and problems; we hide nothing from God. But that requires time as divine love cleanses and expands our hearts.

Besides perseverance, Jesus also teaches us what we should pray for. Today’s Gospel passage ends with these words: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?”

In our prayers, we ask many good things from God the Father: health, work, safety, help, blessing, etc. In addition to these requests, Jesus reminds us that the fundamental intention should be the Holy Spirit.

He is the air we breathe in the spiritual life, our source and strength in this journey toward heaven.

Today, you and I are challenged to say the Our Father with trust every time, especially in Mass. Through and in that prayer, the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, reveals the immense divine love for us.