Thursday 19 June
Ecclus. 48: 1-14, Ps. 97, Matthew 6: 7-15
Beautiful words
What a fulsome prayer Jesus has given us. It is so well known to us that it can become just part of the backdrop of Christian life. Yet it cries out to be lived. Do I hallow God’s name? Do I seek God’s will for me in all aspects of my life or just some? Can I forgive others who have hurt me? To help me persevere in times of trial I need Jesus in the Eucharist. The Lord’s Prayer in the liturgy, coming just before Holy Communion, is a golden opportunity to put my heart and soul into these beautiful words.
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I agree that the Lord's Prayer is a rich source of contemplation.
I also agree that it can become a 'backdrop' and then, perhaps, we become anaesthetised to its depths and to its relevance to our lives. A bit like 'muzak' in lifts and supermarkets: we hear it but not consciously, attentively.
Sometimes we need to hear or create the same sentiments expressed in fresh or challenging language to encourage us to re-visit the essence of Matthew 6:7-15. Here is one by John Phillip Newell.
The Casa del Sol
Prayer of Jesus
Ground of all being,
Mother of life,
Father of the universe,
Your name is sacred, beyond speaking.
May we know your presence,
May your longings be our longings in heart and in action.
May there be food for the human family today and for the whole earth community.
Forgive us the falseness of what we have done as we forgive those who are untrue to us.
Do not forsake us in our time of conflict but lead us into new beginnings.
For the light of life,
the vitality of life,
and the glory of life are yours
now and for ever.
Amen.