On the Lord’s Prayer ( iii )

…….Let us therefore, brethren beloved, pray as God our Teacher has taught us. It is a loving and friendly prayer to beseech God with His own word, to come up to His ears in the prayer of Christ.  Let the Father acknowledge the words of His Son when we make our prayer, and let Him also who dwells within in our breast Himself dwell in our voice. And since we have Him as an Advocate with the Father for our sins, let us, when as sinners we petition on behalf of our sins, put forward the words of our Advocate. For since He says, that whatsoever we shall ask of the Father in His name, He will give us, John 16:23 how much more do we obtain what we ask in Christ’s name, if we ask for it in His own prayer!

St. Cyprian of Carthage, martyr, was born in Africa between the year 200 AD and 210 AD. He converted to Christianity with the help of the priest Cecilius. In 249 AD, just some time after his conversion, he was ordained priest and was then elected bishop of Carthage with the acclamation of the people. When Decius’ persecution began in 250AD, he hid himself from the public in order to continue his delicate work as Shepherd of the Christian community in threatening situations.  During the Valerian persecution, Cyprian was exiled and then beheaded in 257 AD.

Reflection

Jesus Christ, who came down from heaven, born of the Virgin Mary, taught us to pray. He taught us the words that heal our life. In fact, the Lord’s prayer enables us to pray, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, with the same words Jesus said to us. When we pray with these words we are praying in the name of Jesus Christ our Saviour, our Lord and Redeemer. The Lord’s prayer is the form of all other prayers that we say in our hearts, and also of the prayers that we say together as the Holy Church united in the name of Jesus the Lord. When we pray with Faith, Hope and Charity, virtues given to us as a gift by God, we are confirming our being disciples of Jesus. The Lord’s Prayer is that part of the Sacred Scriptures that gives us the strength to call God, Our Father. We have a Father in Heaven. Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit….Amen.

The Creed

For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary,
and was made man.

Prayer

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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
Amen.

fr. sandro