Homily: July 19, 2026 Sixteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Holy Spirit -Praying for us.)

 "The Spirit comes to the aid of our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought but the Spirit himself intercedes with inexpressible groanings."

Today's readings remind us of two truths: first, that we are weak and do not even know how to pray for ourselves, and second, that God comes to help us in our weakness, interceding for us.

These truths are so comforting and assuring, we really have nothing to worry. Even St. Paul - the great apostle and missionary - admitted that he did not always know how to pray. If St. Paul could say that, I can certainly say it about myself: I am weak, and I do not always know how to pray. Are you also the same?

We are all different, and are brought up differently, and so we pray too in different ways. Growing up in a household of eleven family members, I saw that clearly.

My grandfather loved reading the Bible. He had a Bible that was published in 1939, and he spent many hours reading it daily. My grandmother was blind during the last twenty or twenty-five years of her life. And I always saw her praying the rosary, she had memorized many prayers by heart.

My father too prayed faithfully every day. He loved reading the Scriptures and praying the rosary. He would also participate in everything our home parish organized. My mother was again different from the rest. She prayed different types of novenas and would go on many retreats and pilgrimages.

They all prayed differently, but they all prayed.

Perhaps some of us wonder whether we are praying the right way. We may think, "I don't know many prayers," or "My mind keeps wandering," or "I don't pray as much as I should."

Today's reading should give us great peace. St. Paul is not talking about what to pray or how to pray. Rather, he is speaking about the disposition of our praying. We do not always know what is truly best for ourselves and are unaware of God's plan for us.

We may pray for good things according to our limited understanding like a good job, healing from sickness, success for our efforts, or for a good solution to a difficult problem. We are often very specific on the outcome.

Yet what we ask for may not be what God desires for us at that moment. It might not even be good for us in the bigger picture of things. Yet, the Holy Spirit takes our imperfect prayers, purifies our desires, and presents them to the Father in accordance with God's will.

In other words, praying is not simply our work; it is God's work within us.

We sometimes try to find the right words and phrase it in the right way. But St. Paul teaches us that even when we are silent, confused, tired, or overwhelmed, the Holy Spirit is praying within us. Sometimes we just sit before the Blessed Sacrament and have nothing to say. Sometimes we come to Mass carrying burdens which we cannot put into words. Sometimes all we can say is, "Lord, help me."

And you know what? That is enough.

Wanting to pray is enough.

St. Augustine said it beautifully, "Your desire is your prayer." If your heart desires God, if you know you need His help, His attention, His intervention, that desire, that awareness, is already prayer.

In today's Gospel, Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God grows like a mustard seed - small at first, yet full of life and promise. The same is true of our prayer. Our prayers may seem small, imperfect, or distracted, but no prayer is ever wasted. God receives every sincere prayer. He accepts it, nurtures and strengthens it, and helps it bear fruit through the Holy Spirit.

Perhaps the simplest thing we can take home today is this: do not stop praying because you think you are not praying right. Pray as you are. Pray when you are joyful. Pray when you are tired. Pray when you have words, pray when you have none.

The Holy Spirit will do the rest.

We are weak, but God has given us His powerful Spirit - to pray with us, to intercede for us, and to perfect our prayers. 

Let us continue to desire holiness, to remain open to God's will, and to trust that even our weakest prayer is precious in His sight. Amen.