Message of Abbot Paul - Tuesday 8th March
Message from Fr Paul for Tuesday, 8th March 2022
The Gospels record the disciples asking Jesus to teach them how to pray. They could see how Jesus would go off alone early in the morning or late at night, seeking peace and solitude, to be alone and in communion with his heavenly Father. Occasionally, he would take a small group of them with him, at times all of them, but mostly he would want to be by himself in quiet recollection. “Lord, teach us to pray.” These words are ours as well as those of the disciples. Jesus teaches us to pray, above all, by his example. We, too, can seek solitude and quiet to be alone with God, not necessarily in a church or place of worship. God is everywhere, so in any place we can “tune in to him” and enjoy his presence. We can enter into the inner sanctuary of the heart and there find communion with him. It’s a matter of desire, of what we really desire and long for. God will always be there for us.
Today we read the giving of the Lord’s Prayer in the Sermon on the Mount, (Mt 6: 7-21). Jesus begins by telling his disciples that prayer is not synonymous with a multiplicity of words. “In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him.” Two important points here: no to babbling like the pagans and God already knows our needs. He then shows them how they should pray:
“Our Father in heaven,
may your name be held holy,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.
And do not put us to the test,
but save us from the evil one.”
This is not the traditional translation we know by heart, but a modern one we find in our current lectionary. Nevertheless, we notice immediately that, although the words are slightly different, the meaning is the same. The word ‘debts” make us think of money rather than of sin, but sin can be described as a debt that we owe and must repay to those we have taken something from, be it their good name or their property. The first half of the prayer is directed to God, recognising him for who he is and expressing our longing for him and his kingdom. The second half focuses on what is truly necessary and important, the basics, both physical and spiritual, that we need to live a good Christian life. It focuses on forgiveness and the desire not to be separated from God either by our own actions or those of the source of all evil. It’s a prayer that we can and do use on every occasion and in every circumstance. You notice it does not have the doxology that was added later by the Church, as no prayer should end with the ‘evil one’ but with God. Jesus has left the ending open, as he does with the parables, for us to conclude with our own words of praise and thanksgiving.
Jesus ends with a short comment about forgiveness: “Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.” God is always disposed to forgive us our sins and errors. If we pray this prayer, then we must do likewise.
