Our Father - A Gospel Reflection

Sermon on the Mount by Heinrich Bloch

Yesterday's Gospel reading is Jesus' instruction to the apostles on how to pray. While the ten verse passage is a relatively short one, it is rich with catechesis. According to the Navarre Bible commentators, "[t]he 'Our Father' is, without any doubt, the most commented-on passagein all Sacred Scripture." Rather than share my inadequate thoughts on this important reading, I thought I would share some from the Catechism, the Church Fathers and a few saints.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church
Summary of the Whole Gospel

The Lord's Prayer "is truly the summary of the whole gospel." "Since the Lord . . . after handing over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, 'Ask and you will receive,' and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer [the Lord's Prayer] is said first, as the foundation of further desires."(CCC, 2761)

The Lord's Prayer

It is called "the Lord's Prayer" because it comes to us from the Lord Jesus, the master and model of our prayer. (CCC, 2775) 

Prayer of the Church

The Lord's Prayer is the quintessential prayer of the Church. It is an integral part of the major hours of the Divine Office and of the sacraments of Christian initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist. Integrated into the Eucharist it reveals the eschatological character of its petitions, hoping for the Lord, "until he comes" (1 Cor 11:26). (CCC, 2776)

Church Fathers and Saints
St. Augustine

"St. Augustine says that the Lord's Prayer is so perfect that it sums up in a few words everything man needs to ask God for (cf. "Sermon", 56). It is usually seen as being made up of an invocation and seven petitions--three to do with praise of God and four with the needs of men." (Navarre Bible commentary).

St. John of Avila

God is strong enough to free you from everything and can do you more good than all the devils can do you harm. All that God decrees is that you confide in Him, that you draw near Him, that you trust Him and distrust yourself, and so be helped; and with this help you will defeat whatever hell brings against you. Never lose hold of this firm hope [...] even if the demons are legion and all kinds of severe temptations harass you. Lean upon Him, because if the Lord is not your support and your strength, then you will fall and you will be afraid of everything" (Sermons, 9, First Sunday of Lent").

St. Teresa of Avila

"Anyone, then, who sincerely repeats this petition, 'Fiat voluntas tua', must, at least in intention, have done this already" (Way of Perfection, 32f).

St. Josemaria Escriva

"All right: that person has behaved badly towards you. But, haven't you behaved worse towards God?" (The Way, 686).

St. Josemaria's reflection on the nature of forgiveness is one key point of the Our Father that always strikes me. When we pray the Lord's Prayer we are asking Him to treat us in the manner that we have treated those that have offended us. In other words, all those times I have held others in contempt, I am condemning myself. Wow! It certainly makes you think about how we treat others. I think it might just lead me to be a bit more forgiving. How about you?