June 21, 2018

Gospel: Mt 6:7-15
When you pray, do not use a lot of words, as the pagans do; for they believe that, the more they say, the more chance they have of being heard. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him. This, then, is how you should pray:

Our Father in heaven, holy be your name,
your kingdom, come,
your will, be done
on earth, as in heaven.
Give us today, our daily bread.
Forgive us our debts,
as we forgive those who are in debt to us.
Do not bring us to the test,
but deliver us from the evil one.
If you forgive others their wrongdoings, your Father
in heaven will also forgive yours. If you do not forgive
others, then your Father will not forgive you.

Reflections
Your Father knows what you need, even before you ask him Gerhard Lohfink explains that the more proper translation of “our daily bread” is “bread for the coming day”. Jesus, together with his disciples, travelled from town to town, preaching and healing. They were often welcomed by families, like Mary, Martha and Lazarus, who provided their meals for the day and sleeping mats for the night. But in other towns they were unwelcome. Jesus thus taught his disciples to pray that the Father provide for their needs the following day through people who would open their hearts and homes to them. May Jesus find dwelling in our hearts and homes.

© Copyright Bible Diary 2018