Shadowing Practice: Praying to the Father in the Son — Sunday, July 5, 2026 - Learn English Speaking with Video

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This is Catholic Daily Reflections for the 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year A.
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Today's reflection is entitled, praying to the Father in the Son.
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At that time, Jesus exclaimed, I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
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For although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned, you have revealed them to little ones.
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Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will.
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All things have been handed over to me by my father.
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No one knows the Son except the Father,
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and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.
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Matthew 11 :1 -2 25 to 27.
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This passage beautifully summarizes the entire Christian life.
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the life to which we are called and in which we find our purpose, meaning, and ultimate fulfillment.
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Jesus begins by offering praise to the Father, Lord of heaven and earth.
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Though Jesus himself is fully God, one in being with the Father, co -eternal and consubstantial.
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He nevertheless offers praise to the Father,
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In the original Greek, The phrase: I give praise to you.
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"examalogea mai," indicates an open,
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public, and full acknowledgement by the Son of the Father's sovereignty and gracious will.
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The Father is the all -powerful Lord of all that exists.
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everything in the heavens and on earth.
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Jesus expresses this fundamental stance toward the Father for two reasons.
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First, because it is eternally true,
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and second, so that we might humble ourselves and join him in praying the same prayer.
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through, with, and in Jesus.
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This prayer closely parallels the opening of the Lord's Prayer,
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the Our Father, because both begin with a direct acknowledgement and praise of the Father's holiness and sovereignty.
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The Lord's Prayer is the perfect prayer precisely because it was given to us by Jesus himself.
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Thank you.
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After addressing the Father, it presents seven petitions.
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According to Saints Thomas Aquinas and Augustine,
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The first two petitions hallowed be thy name and thy kingdom come reveal the central purpose of our lives.
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to glorify God eternally and to be caught up in
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and actively participate in that glory by becoming full members of his kingdom.
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In today's prayer, Jesus says, "These things have been revealed to little ones,
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and that the Son can choose to reveal the Father to whom He wishes."
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We are drawn into Jesus' prayer and intimate relationship with the Father precisely when Jesus reveals the Father to us.
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No one knows the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him.
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Because Jesus deeply desires that we come to know and love the Father with the same love he has for him,
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His prayer continues by gently inviting us especially when burdened by weariness,
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weakness, or sin, to lay our burdens down before His merciful power and glory.
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"Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11 :28
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This tender invitation reveals Jesus' deepest desire for us that we would enter into His love for the Father,
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share intimately in the union between Father and Son, and thus magnify and glorify the Most Holy Trinity.
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not only in our earthly journey, but eternally in heaven.
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Indeed, what a sublime and glorious calling we have received.
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Reflect today upon this beautiful prayer, knowing in your heart that Jesus himself invites you to pray it with him,
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through him and in him.
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he longs for his voice to resonate within your voice his love to beat within your heart
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and his holy desires to shape your own
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Turn your gaze toward the Father he who is both the source and ultimate goal of your existence,
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and strive lovingly and humbly to accomplish all things according to his gracious and holy will.
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Let us pray.
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Our Father, you who dwell in the heavens and within the souls of your sanctified ones,
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May your eternal essence, your holy name, "The One who was, who is, and who is to come,
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the Great I Am, be honored, praised, and glorified forever.
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May this glorification shine forth in my life.
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in the lives of all your faithful as we await with joyful hope the return in glory of your Son,
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Jesus our Savior, when you, together with Him and the Holy Spirit,
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will establish the new heavens and the new earth.
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Jesus, I trust in you.
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Oh

Why practice speaking with this video?

This video, titled "Praying to the Father in the Son," serves as a rich resource for English learners looking to enhance their speaking skills. By engaging with this video, you'll not only immerse yourself in religious discourse but also adopt a profound understanding of the context in which such language is used. The shadowspeak method allows you to repeat phrases in real-time, helping you internalize vocabulary and grammar structure naturally.

Practicing with this video encourages active listening and speaking, which are essential components of language acquisition. You'll learn how to express sentiments of praise and humility, greatly enriching your conversational skills in both religious and everyday contexts. Utilizing the shadowing technique with this reflection allows you to mirror the speaker's tone and emotional depth, fostering greater confidence when speaking English. This practice aligns perfectly with your goal to learn English with YouTube.

Grammar & Expressions in Context

  • "I give praise to you, Father" - This phrase exemplifies the structure of direct address and acknowledges the subject (Father) clearly, showcasing an important format in conversational English.
  • "All things have been handed over to me by my father" - The passive voice here is crucial for forming complex sentences. Recognizing how subjects relate through 'by' enhances understanding of English sentence construction.
  • "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened" - This imperative form is an effective way to invite or command in English. Mimicking this structure helps to establish authority in conversations.
  • "No one knows the Son except the Father" - This expression introduces the concept of exclusivity, a useful linguistic tool for emphasizing relationships and hierarchies in discussions.

Common Pronunciation Traps

As you practice your speaking skills, pay close attention to key phrases that may pose challenges:

  • The phrase "I give praise to you" often leads to connecting sounds, which can alter pronunciation if not practiced correctly.
  • The word "burdened" contains the difficult consonant blend /bər/ and should be practiced slowly to grasp the correct sound.
  • The key term "revealed" has a silent 'e' at the end, which can tempt learners into mispronouncing it. Focus on the vowel sounds to improve articulation.

By using the shadowspeaks method with these highlighted phrases, English learners will be able to capture the essence of both the message and the rhythm of the language, making your journey toward fluency fulfilling and effective. Embrace these challenges as part of your progression as you master English through engaging content.

Grammar in this video

The structures the speaker uses most, with the exact words from the video:

StructureIn the video
Passive voice be + past participle — the focus is on what happens, not who does itis entitled · have been handed · are called
Present perfect have/has + past participle — a past action that still matters nowhave hidden · has been · have been handed

What is the Shadowing Technique?

Shadowing is a science-backed language learning technique originally developed for professional interpreter training and popularized by polyglot Dr. Alexander Arguelles. The method is simple but powerful: you listen to native English audio and immediately repeat it out loud — like a shadow following the speaker with just a 1–2 second delay. Unlike passive listening or grammar drills, shadowing forces your brain and mouth muscles to simultaneously process and reproduce real speech patterns. Research shows it significantly improves pronunciation accuracy, intonation, rhythm, connected speech, listening comprehension, and speaking fluency — making it one of the most effective methods for IELTS Speaking preparation and real-world English communication.

Shadowing technique: read the full step-by-step guide →