We are exactly five months till CHRISTmas!! WOO-HOO!! It is 75 degrees outside right now: I need to find a coat to wear (OK, this is sick humor).
I am also starting part-two of St. Louis de Monfort’s “Total Consecration to Jesus, Through Mary” 34-day “novena” of prayers and meditations. It has been an unbelievable, and very spiritual journey for me. I am a firm believer that anyone that truly experiences this beautiful set of prayers and meditations will gain magnificent graces from our beloved Father.
Today’s reflection on the Mass Gospel Reading is the longest I believe I have ever written, It has also been the deepest I have ever delved into the early Church, and the theology of Jesus’ words. I started with the misconceived notion that this reflection would be easy since I have been saying the “Lord’s Prayer” every day since I can remember. I am sure Jesus was sitting next to me, laughing hysterically, while I was writing this minor thesis!
Though I have used my usual (and sometimes sick) humor throughout this reflection, it became a very deep and fairly thorough examination of the Jesus’ words and history of that time, in order to understand the complexities of this seemingly simple prayer. Please read it slowly and carefully in order to get the full intent of the reflection. Grab a cup of coffee and sit down in a comfy chair.
I want to thank a dear friend, John H., for helping me by proof reading this reflection and bringing out further thoughts from my soul. He has become my resource and “bouncing board.” This very pious man has definitely become a grace from God, for me. Thank you John, Luv Ya.
Today in Catholic History:
† 1261 – The city of Constantinople is recaptured by Nicaean forces under the command of Michael VIII Palaeologus, thus re-establishing the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines also succeed in capturing Thessalonica and the rest of the Latin Empire.
† 1492 – Death of Pope Innocent VIII (b. 1432)
† 1593 – Henry IV of France publicly converts from Protestantism to Roman Catholicism.
† 1882 – Birth of George S. Rentz, Navy Chaplain, Navy Cross (d. 1942)
(From the “On This Day” Blog Site
otday.wordpress.com)
Quote or Joke of the Day:
“By habitually thinking of the presence of God, we succeed in praying twenty-four hours a day” ~ St. Paul of the Cross †
Today’s reflection is about Jesus teaching us about prayer.
1 He was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread 4 and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test.”
5 And he said to them, “Suppose one of you has a friend to whom he goes at midnight and says, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves of bread, 6 for a friend of mine has arrived at my house from a journey and I have nothing to offer him,’ 7 and he says in reply from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door has already been locked and my children and I are already in bed. I cannot get up to give you anything.’ 8 I tell you, if he does not get up to give him the loaves because of their friendship, he will get up to give him whatever he needs because of his persistence.
9 “And I tell you, ask and you will receive; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 10 For everyone who asks, receives; and the one who seeks, finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. 11 What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? 12 Or hand him a scorpion when he asks for an egg? 13 If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (NAB Luke 11:1-3)
Luke gives more attention to Jesus’ teachings on prayer than any other Gospel writer. Today’s reading presents three sections concerning prayer. The first recounts Jesus teaching his disciples this Christian communal prayer, the “Our Father”; the second part concerns the importance of persistence in prayer; and the third is about the effectiveness of prayer. I have separated each section in the above reading for your convenience.
Matthews’s manner of the “Our Father” is the one we most commonly say, and is the one used in the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 6:9-15). Stripped of much of the language we are used to, Luke’s version seems simple and direct. This shorter version occurs while Jesus is at prayer, which Luke regularly shows Jesus devoutly doing at important times in His public ministry. Other times include at the choosing of the Twelve Apostles (Luke 6:12); before Peter’s confession (Luke 9:18); at the transfiguration (Luke 9:28); at the Last Supper (Luke 22:32); on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:41); and on the cross (Luke 23:46). Matthew’s form of the “Our Father” follows the liturgical tradition of his synagogue. Luke’s less developed form also represents the liturgical tradition known to him, but it is probably closer than Matthew’s to the original words of Jesus.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray just as John [the Baptist] taught his disciples to pray. To have its own distinctive form of prayer was the mark of a religious community: the start of the “Christian” community in this case. This ancient way of recognizing a religious community is also true today, e.g., the consecration to Mary of the Marianists, and the “We adore you” of the Franciscans.
Jesus presents them with an example of a Christian “collective” prayer that stresses the fatherhood of God, and acknowledges Him as the one that gives us daily sustenance (Luke 11:3), forgiveness (Luke 11:4), and deliverance from the final trial [or test] (Luke 11:4).
The words “our Father in heaven” is a prayer found in many Jewish prayers with inception of the New Testament period. “Hallowed be your name” was an interesting phrase for the young Catholics I taught in PSR. I cannot tell you how many children thought they were saying “Harold be thy name:” actually thinking God’s real name was “Harold!” The word “Hallow,” used as a verb, is defined as: “to make holy or sacred, to sanctify or consecrate, to venerate.” The adjective form “hallowed,” as used in this prayer, means: “holy, consecrated, sacred, or revered.”
The act of “hallowing” the name of God is an intentional reverencing of God by our acknowledging, praising, thanking, and obeying Him and His will. This is what most Catholics have come to believe. I know I did! Actually, it is more likely a petition that God hallow his own name; that he reveal His glory by an act of power! This can be demonstrated in Ezekiel 36:23: “I will prove the holiness of my great name, profaned among the nations, in whose midst you have profaned it. Thus the nations shall know that I am the LORD, says the Lord GOD, when in their sight I prove my holiness through you. In regards to the “Our Father,” God is manifesting His power with the establishment of His “Kingdom,” first within us personally, and to be fulfilled completely in the future.
“Your kingdom come” is an appeal that sets the tone for this prayer, and slants the balance toward divine interaction and intervention, rather than human action in the petitions of this prayer. “Your will be done, on earth as in heaven” is a request that God establish His Kingdom already present in heaven and on earth. God’s Kingdom breaks the boundaries that separate the rich from the poor, the clean from the unclean, and the saint and sinner.
Trivia time: Instead of this appeal, some early church Fathers prayed, per the USSCB web site (www.usccb.org/nab/bible), “May your Holy Spirit come upon us and cleanse us.” This indicates that the “Our Father” might have been used in baptismal liturgies very early in Christianity.
“Give us today our daily bread” espouses a petition for a speedy coming of God’s Kingdom. Interestingly, God’s Kingdom is often portrayed with the image of a “feast” in both the Old and New Testaments. Examples can be found in Isaiah 25:6, “On this mountain the LORD of hosts will provide for all peoples A feast of rich food and choice wines, juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines:” and in similar themes found in Matthew 8:11; 22:1-10; Luke 13:29; 14:15-24.
Luke uses the more theological word “sins” rather than “debts,” used in Matthew’s version. The word “debts” in “Forgive us our debts” is used as a metaphor for sins, meaning our debts owed to God. This request I believe is for forgiveness now, and at our final judgment. But Jesus’ disciples (even today) need to be careful, since disciples of Jesus NOT forgiving each and every person who has sinned against them, cannot have a proper view of Jesus’ Father, who is merciful to ALL! See, the Father is truly Catholic: truly universal!
Jewish apocalyptic writings speak of a period of severe trials before the end of the “age.” You may have possibly heard it called the “messianic woes” or “Jacob’s Trials” (The Book of Jubilees: Chapter 23). The petition, “do not subject us to the final test” asks that we be spared these final tests.
Having taught his disciples this simple, but complete, daily prayer, Jesus reassures them that God answers all prayers given to Him. He stresses this point by telling the parable about the persistent neighbor who asks a friend for bread at midnight. The friend is already in bed and has no desire to disturb his family by opening the door. But because the neighbor is persistent, the sleeping man gets up and gives him all that he needs. The moral: If a neighbor is willing to help us if we are persistent enough, how could God not respond to our requests?!
Would I have acted the same way as the neighbor? I can remember when my children were much younger, and spending a huge amount of time to get them to sleep. If someone would have banged on my door, or rang the door-bell, I would have been quite upset, and not very hospitable or Christian when I answered that door. I also know from past experiences, that I would have ultimately submitted to their request, and helped them in whatever way I could. Is God the same way? I believe yes! He definitely does respond to us if we are persistent in our requests and communications with Him.
In the last sentence of this Gospel reading, Luke alters the traditional saying of Jesus, found in Matthew 7:11: “If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more l will your heavenly Father give good things to those who ask him.” Luke substitutes “the Holy Spirit” for the underlined “good things.” Luke presents the gifts of the Holy Spirit as God’s proper response to our prayers. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are significant in Luke’s theology, and play an important role in the growth of the early Church after Pentecost, and in our very personal relationship with our Lord. “Good things,” Luke knew, could get disciples of Jesus in trouble. The gifts of the Holy Spirit (Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord) sum up all that is given to the Christian community through prayer. As we learn these gifts, we then experience the fruits of the Holy Spirit: joy, strength, and the courage for witnessing to Jesus’ mission on earth. These gifts and fruits prepare us for life in eternity with Him in paradise.
I firmly believe that part of a solution to today’s problems in the Church, in the family, and in the world – – problems like abortion, wars and other conflicts, religious and racial harmony, physical and mental illness, family issues, and issues involving money, poverty, and excess wealth (including idolatry to money) – – is for all of us to practice a strong, constant, persistent, and unrelenting PRAYER life. Given who and what Jesus really is, He taught us a perfect prayer, as it recognizes God’s holiness and His rule over all things.
Jesus taught us to approach God simply as we would approach a loving father. Think of times when family members were persistent about something until they were able to achieve a goal or receive what they sought. Prayer is a way of striving to recognize how God is reaching out to us in love, and that He responds when we present Him with our needs and gratitude. God hears ALL our prayers. He also answers ALL our prayers, just maybe not the way we want or anticipate. God’s invitation is, as Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, “Pray without ceasing.” The Lord’s Prayer (the Our Father) helps do just that!
“Our Father”
“Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.”
Pax et Bonum
Dan Halley, SFO
*****
A Franciscan’s Saint of the Day: St. James
This James is the brother of John the Evangelist. The two were called by Jesus as they worked with their father in a fishing boat on the Sea of Galilee. Jesus had already called another pair of brothers from a similar occupation: Peter and Andrew. “He walked along a little farther and saw James, the son of Zebedee, and his brother John. They too were in a boat mending their nets. Then he called them. So they left their father Zebedee in the boat along with the hired men and followed him” (Mark 1:19-20).
James was one of the favored three who had the privilege of witnessing the Transfiguration, the raising to life of the daughter of Jairus and the agony in Gethsemani.
Two incidents in the Gospels describe the temperament of this man and his brother. St. Matthew tells that their mother came (Mark says it was the brothers themselves) to ask that they have the seats of honor (one on the right, one on the left of Jesus) in the kingdom. “Jesus said in reply, ‘You do not know what you are asking. Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?’ They said to him, ‘We can’” (Matthew 20:22). Jesus then told them they would indeed drink the cup and share his baptism of pain and death, but that sitting at his right hand or left was not his to give—it “is for those for whom it has been prepared by my Father” (Matthew 20:23b). It remained to be seen how long it would take to realize the implications of their confident “We can!”
The other disciples became indignant at the ambition of James and John. Then Jesus taught them all the lesson of humble service: The purpose of authority is to serve. They are not to impose their will on others, or lord it over them. This is the position of Jesus himself. He was the servant of all; the service imposed on him was the supreme sacrifice of his own life.
On another occasion, James and John gave evidence that the nickname Jesus gave them—“sons of thunder”—was an apt one. The Samaritans would not welcome Jesus because he was on his way to hated Jerusalem. “When the disciples James and John saw this they asked, ‘Lord, do you want us to call down fire from heaven to consume them?’ Jesus turned and rebuked them…” (Luke 9:54-55).
James was apparently the first of the apostles to be martyred. “About that time King Herod laid hands upon some members of the church to harm them. He had James, the brother of John, killed by the sword, and when he saw that this was pleasing to the Jews he proceeded to arrest Peter also” (Acts 12:1-3a).
This James, sometimes called James the Greater, is not to be confused with James the Lesser (May 3) or with the author of the Letter of James and the leader of the Jerusalem community.
Comment:
The way the Gospels treat the apostles is a good reminder of what holiness is all about. There is very little about their virtues as static possessions, entitling them to heavenly reward. Rather, the great emphasis is on the Kingdom, on God’s giving them the power to proclaim the Good News. As far as their personal lives are concerned, there is much about Jesus’ purifying them of narrowness, pettiness, fickleness.
Quote:
“…Christ the Lord, in whom the entire revelation of the most high God is summed up (see 2 Corinthians 1:20; 3:16–4:6), having fulfilled in his own person and promulgated with his own lips the Gospel promised by the prophets, commanded the apostles to preach it to everyone as the source of all saving truth and moral law, communicating God’s gifts to them. This was faithfully done: it was done by the apostles who handed on, by oral preaching, by their example, by their dispositions, what they themselves had received—whether from the lips of Christ, from his way of life and his works, or by coming to know it through the prompting of the Holy Spirit” (Constitution on Divine Revelation, 7).
Patron Saint of: Chile; Laborers; Nicaragua; Rheumatism; Spain
Saint of the Day: Lives, Lessons and Feast
By Leonard Foley, O.F.M.;
revised by Pat McCloskey, O.F.M.
(From http://www.franciscan-sfo.org website)
Secular Franciscan Order (SFO) Rule #25:
Regarding expenses necessary for the life of the fraternity and the needs of worship, of the apostolate, and of charity, all the brothers and sisters should offer a contribution according to their means. Local fraternities should contribute toward the expenses of the higher fraternity councils.
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