The Lord's Prayer -Matt. 6:7-15

BEADS OF JOY 06-20-13
“Matthew 6:7-15”
©2013 James Dacey, Jr. OFS

Gospel: (Matthew 6:7-15 / The Lord's Prayer)

“And in praying do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do; for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: 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 debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”


Reflection: My Friends,

What a wonderfully perfect spectacular topic today is: The Lord's Prayer. From His heart to our ears, so that in our prayers it goes, from our heart to His ears. Jesus gave us this most precious prayer, as an example of what we should be praying about and to whom. Think about it: Jesus, is the author of this prayer, its value goes without say. "Saint Augustine says that whenever we say the Our Father devoutly our venial sins are forgiven. The just man falls seven times a day, but in the Lord's Prayer he will find seven petitions which will both help him to avoid downfalls and will protect him from his spiritual enemies. Our Lord, knowing how weak and helpless we are, and how many difficulties we get into, made His Prayer short and easy to say, so that if we say it devoutly and often we can be sure that Almighty God will quickly come to our aid." The Secrets of the Rosary.

So what are the seven petitions of the Lord's Prayer? They are really so simple to remember by their own design. Check this out. The first three take us right to the Father (hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, and thy will be done). These are all for God's glory, strengthening us in faith, hope and charity... Now check out the last four, they are all about our own expectations, it's pretty cool (Give us, Forgive us, Lead us, and Deliver us) wow, this prayer is so perfectly laid out. Those are our needs we are asking God the Father to accomplish for us.

How devoutly, and slowly and thoughtfully do we consider the words of the "Lord's Prayer" each time and each day we pray it. This prayer alongside of the Hail Mary, gives us so much Joy and blessing when praying the Rosary. Consider the Lord's Prayer, as a prayer that is so perfect, that when we pray it; our hearts are full of love; and covered with contentment and Joy, that we need nothing else to make our life so complete. This is yet another very special part of the Joy that inside my heart. It is so complete, so perfect, that we get to speak directly to God, our Father, our Lord, as if He were standing right here as we pray the Lord's Prayer. Don't we all want that kind of Joy? How about a Joy that keeps you smiling while the world frowns? How about a Joy that comforts you when you are feeling down? This Joy goes without say, how long it will last; for if "forever" was the measure, it goes way beyond eternity fast. Prayer is the key today, and the Lord's Prayer is our perfect prayer.

Here's a wonderful quote I found:

“Let us strive to make the Lord’s Prayer our model and pattern in all our approaches to God. Let it suggest to us the sort of things which we should pray for and pray against. Let it teach us the relative place and proportion which we should give to each subject in our prayers. The more we ponder and examine the Lord’s Prayer, the more instructive and suggestive shall we find it to be.” ~ J.C. Ryle

Catechism of The Catholic Church -
The Lord's Prayer Father Explained
http://www.vatican.va/archive/ccc_css/archive/catechism/p4s2a3.htm

Pondering these thoughts today:
-Are you allowing God to transform your life?
-Have you ever really ever reflected on the Lord's Prayer?
-Do you speak with Jesus every single day?
-Is your love for others fair, and merciful?
-Do you tell God what you want, or do you ask for His will?
(Pray the Lord's Prayer slowly and directly to God.)

Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
Revised writing from 2011