First week of Lent, Tuesday
Reading: Matthew 6:7-14‘ 'When you are praying, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. ‘Pray in this way: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.Your kingdom come.Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.Give us this day our daily break.And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.And do not bring us to the time of trial.But rescue us from the evil one.For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you; but if you do not forgive others, neither will your father forgive your trespasses.’
The historical context of this prayer can be traced back to Jewish tradition where Jesus incorporated elements of Jewish teaching into the Lord’s prayer. It emphasised the person’s need to depend on God ‘I the Eternal am your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods besides me.’ (Exodus 20:2-3) In the opening lines of this great prayer, ‘Our Father’ I am reminded that God is the father of all nations and all peoples. We are descended from the line of Abraham who was the father of Christians, Jew and Muslims and it is a call to each one of us to work together for greater unity between these great faith traditions. In so doing we will help to bring about the world peace that is so desperately needed in our world today. The work that is being done to deepen inter-faith dialogue between the faith traditions can serve as a guide to greater reconciliation between the religious traditions and deepen the bonds of peace between all people. Jewish tradition prayed for the protection of its people from all evil, (Psalm 91) and people were asked to always live in reconciliation with each other.
The celebration of Yom Kippur clearly outlines the path to peace for all who wish to live in reconciliation with each other and continues to have much to offer all traditions on how to live in this new way.
Jesus relationship with his ABBA father was the foundation of who he was and all he wished to offer the people to whom he was sent. In his baptism in the Jordan God affirmed him as the son with whom he was well pleased and the one whom we are called to follow. ‘This is my son, the beloved, listen to him.’ (John 3:17) Jesus was deeply aware of his need to fulfil God’s mission for him right up to the moment of his death on the cross, ‘not my will but thine be done.’ (Luke 22:42) and in following through on this mission the kingdom of God on earth would come to be.
Through my prayer I wish to surrender myself to the power of the holy spirit so that I can have the inner attitude of Jesus who had a very close intimate relationship with his father and play my part in bringing about the kingdom of God where I live and work today. Each day I am challenged to reflect on my own attitude to listening for and responding to God’s will in my own life. Am I seeking God’s will or my own? During this time of Lent, what attitudes or behaviours do I need to change if God’s will is to be done in my life? I am reminded of the humility of Mary when she prayed, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ (Luke 1:38) I ask for the daily bread of the gift of prayer, a deeper faith and the graces I need to fulfill God’s mission for me in daily life so that I may truly live the great commandments of God; ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ The second is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself’ (Mark 12: 30-31) I am challenged to reflect on and let go of any false gods that may be in my life and to place God at the centre of all I do and say for his glory. I am reminded that Jesus encourages me to trust in God’s total, unconditional forgiveness of my failures, transgressions and sins. He reminds me that true, deep, sincere forgiveness of others is necessary if my prayer is to be heard and challenges me to live in reconciliation with others and to seek out anyone with whom I may need to be reconciled.
I am also reminded that Jesus clearly outlines an essential disposition for fruitful prayer. He asks me to keep my prayer simple and sincere; there is no need to use complicated language but to speak straight from my heart about everyday concerns. Echoing the words of the psalmist, He reassures me that a compassionate, Father God knows the needs of all his flock ever before a word is on their lips. (Psalm 139:4) He asks me to honour and keep holy the great name of God the Father of all people. He desires that God’s kingdom of justice, love and peace come upon the earth where the rights of each person are upheld and respected. Doing God’s will is non-negotiable if peace and justice are to reign on earth.
Living in a multi-faith environment I have opportunities to learn more about other faith traditions and to play my part in building up the kingdom of God by my participation in events that build community and unity between peoples of other faith traditions, this is one small way in which greater understanding and peace between all can flourish. What actions do you need to take in your community to support inter-faith dialogue.
If none are available, what actions might you be able to take to raise awareness and response to this important issue of our day.
Prayer
Loving Father of all, your most holy Son taught us to pray.Confident to call you father, fill us with his spirit of prayer, that your kingdom may come in our lives as we draw ever closer to you. Amen.
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