Be Careful with the Lord’s Prayer
In a recent homily our priest informed us “to be careful with the Lord’s Prayer.” My mind stalled on these words. Why would a priest be cautioning us about the quintessential Christian prayer.?
The “Lord’s Prayer” – also called the “Our Father”- is the most famous Christian prayer, recited by all Christians, not just Catholics. Some non-Christian groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous, also say this prayer. The Wise Guy notes it is called “The Lord’s Prayer” because Jesus taught it to the disciples (Matthew 6:9-15 and Luke 11:1-4). The name “Our Father” comes from the first words of the prayer.
Father Robert continued his homily, focusing on Jesus’s words from Matthew chapter 6:12;14-15:
“12 And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us…
14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.
15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive you.”
Jesus uses the words “trespasses” and “transgression” as synonyms for “sin.” In verse 12 Jesus highlights the strong link between the Father’s forgiveness of his people and their forgiveness of each other. Forgiveness is essential to being a true disciple. Verses 14-15 are not in the Lord’s Prayer but help us understand it. Jesus emphasizes that receiving divine forgiveness is conditional on our forgiving others. If you do not forgive others, then the Father will not forgive you.
Fr. Robert then emphasized if you are not a forgiving person, don’t keep repeating the Lord’s Prayer. If you do, then you will be putting Jesus in a bind on Judgement Day. If you have not led a life of forgiveness, then what should the Lord do when you stand before Him with a lifetime of Lord’s Prayers swirling around you? Do you want Him to answer those prayers and send you away?
Better to become forgiving. Failing that, stay away from the Lord’s prayer.