My dear Parishioners,
Peace! There are nineteen (19) In Brief articles in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which treat the Lord’s Prayer or “Our Father.” The following reflection considers CCC, 2774.
The Lord’s Prayer or “Our Father” is the most perfect prayer which is both the center of the Scriptures and a resume of all the Gospel. Here we consider each of these in sequence.
According to Saint Thomas Aquinas, OP (+1274) the Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect of prayers (Summa Theologiae II-II, Q. 83, A. 9). The perfection of the Lord’s Prayer, in part, comes from it’s authorship, the perfect Lord. The perfection of the Lord’s Prayer can also be seen in that it is addressed to the perfect Lord. Our praying the Lord’s Prayer also perfects us as a people of prayer.
The Lord’s Prayer is the center of the Scriptures. The Sacred Scriptures contain many various prayers. Abraham prayed for a son (cf. Genesis 15:2). Moses prayed for water, for the people, and to see the promised land (Exodus 15:24–25; 32:31–32; Deuteronomy 3:23–25). Elijah prayed for drought and rain (cf. 1 Kings 17–19; James 5:17–18). Hannah prayed for a son (cf. 1 Samuel 10:11). Jabez prayed for prosperity (cf. 1 Chronicles 3:10). Jeremiah prayed for all the people (cf. Jeremiah 42:2). The entire book of Psalms is itself made up of one hundred and fifty prayers, including David’s penitential prayers (Psalms 6. 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). Saint Paul prayed for spiritual growth, to know God’s will, and for spiritual wisdom (cf. Ephesians 1:15–23; 3:14–21; Colossians 1:9–12). To call the Lord’s Prayer the center of the Scriptures reminds us that Jesus Christ is the center of all Sacred Scripture, and so His prayer.
According to Tertullien (+240) the Lord’s Prayer is a true resume of all the Gospel (De Oratione, 3). The Lord Jesus reminds us that some demons are cast out only by prayer and fasting (cf. Matthew 17:21; Mark 9:29). Praying the Lord’s Prayer in the Church, the house of the Lord and His people, is dear to the Lord’s heart (cf. Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17). The Lord’s prayer is, in contrast with certain long prayers, fairly concise (cf. Mark 12:40; Luke 20:47). The Lord Jesus Himself spent whole nights in prayer to the Father (cf. Luke 6:12). To call the Lord’s Prayer a resume of all the Gospel is to remind us that Jesus Christ is the center of the Gospel, and so His prayer.
Prayer, or calling upon the Name of the Lord, dates even to the period of the ancient patriarchs (cf. Genesis 4:26). In praying the Lord’s Prayer we participate in the life of prayer of God’s holy people. May our hearts and minds and voices be lifted often in prayer to the Lord, rising like incense before His throne (cf. Psalm 141:2). May we always persevere in our praying the Lord’s Prayer, united in mind and heart (cf. Acts 1:14).
God bless you!
Father John Arthur Orr