A declaration of hope

 

Take a moment to think about something you’re passionate about.  It may be your life's work or calling.  It may be your desire to raise your kids with solid values, "make a difference" in the culture of your workplace, or to recognize and speak out against social injustice.  When our efforts are misunderstood, when we’re unappreciated, when we’re the target of complaints and accusations or face other roadblocks in attempts to be true to our values, principles and commitments, we get defensive.  We try harder to prove that our mission should be everyone's mission.

I’m reminded of St. Paul, who was clearly feeling quite misunderstood in his mission of preaching the good news, frustrated in his attempts to invite women and men into a personal relationship with Christ, and through Christ, to God, the source of all life and love (2 Corinthians 11:1-11). 

Like Paul, we too can start getting defensive—even sarcastic in our dealings with others.  Jesus taught us a better way.  Rather than a lot of anxious words, Jesus told us to keep it simple.  He said to His disciples: "In praying, do not babble like the pagans." (Matthew 6:7)

It’s good to reflect upon the prayer Jesus taught us, so that we'll be less likely to "babble on" this Sunday when we recite His prayer together, in common.  Even powerful words can become so automatic, that they can lose quite a bit of their power.  For example, we should say, "I love you" to everyone we love, every day.  But we have to say those three simple words knowing what they mean and letting that meaning come from our heart to the people we love.

During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His disciples, the crowd that assembled that day, and now us what has aptly become known as “the Lord’s prayer.” (Matthew 6:9-15).  Why did Jesus teach us to pray in precisely this way?  Maybe because this prayer offers the most truthful account of who we are and how we should live.

“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”  There is a God who absolutely surpasses us, a God to whom we are bound and accountable; but a God who as Father also draws near, watches over us, endlessly cares for us and seeks our good.  This God who is holy is perfectly good, perfectly just, and perfectly loving, and thus deserves our adoration and praise.

“Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”  God’s kingdom is the community where love, goodness, justice, and peace abound.  It’s the exultant joy that comes when every person’s dignity is affirmed and where every creature flourishes.  Heaven is the everlasting bliss that results when God’s will is flawlessly followed; and points the way for what we should strive for in our world now.

“Give us this day our daily bread.”  God wants to fill the deepest hungers of our lives.  For some it will be a prayer for food, shelter, clothing, and safety.  Others will pray for healing and hope.  Many today pray that loneliness will be vanquished by the assurance that somebody knows and cares.  And, sadly, for countless others their “daily bread” will be the courage needed to endure suffering, tragedy, and seemingly inconsolable loss.

“And forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.”  We live only by the forgiveness and mercy of God and, in gratitude, are to share that same mercy and forgiveness with others.  Forgiveness is always a path to life because it’s what makes us most like God.

“And do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one.”  This is traditionally said, “And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil”.  It’s a bit of a bad translation.  God can’t lead us into temptation; He wants to protect us from all the traps that are out there for us every day –the ones that surprise us, but also the familiar ones we fall into because they've become a part of our patterns.  We need only to ask Him for deliverance and freedom.

And so it is that to say “Amen” to the Lord’s prayer is always an unassailable declaration of hope and confidence.