Sunday 17 C (2019)

Jesus teaches the ‘Our Father’.

Our familiar version is from Matthew’s gospel.

Today we heard Luke’s version.

Luke’s version is shorter, sparer –

five petitions rather than seven –

and some of the wording is different.

I’m sure Luke didn’t ‘forget’ the bits he hasn’t included.

The sentiments remain, but expressed with greater economy.

A significant difference in wording is that Luke says:

forgive us our sins

for we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us;

whereas Matthew uses the word ‘debt’ in both places

(or, in our usual recitation, ‘trespasses’).

In ‘sins’ we fail God.

The extent to which other people’s failings

involve ‘sins’ is unknown to us: it is a matter for God.

Luke’s wording encourages us to keep this distinction in mind.

God the Word became flesh in Jesus,

sharing fully in our human condition – our, eternal, priest.

The prayer is said with Jesus himself

and with all Christians, for all humanity:

this is why it is an ‘our/us/we’ prayer.

It would be enormously presumptuous to pray it

were Jesus not leading our prayer.

For me this is perhaps most striking when we say

as we forgive those who trespass against us.

When we say this, we need, if I can put it like this,

someone totally forgiving to hide behind.

Jesus is that person, the one just one:

saying on the cross ‘Father forgive them’;

cancelling every record of the debt

(as we heard in the second reading).

Let’s enter into the words Luke gives us:

Father, may your name be held holy

We come to you as your beloved children,

delighting that you have given us life and love

and made yourself known to us.

In this closeness,

fill us with wonder and awe in your presence.

your kingdom come

Draw the life, and will, of every human being, towards you:

that love of you and neighbour may fill every human heart

give us each day our daily bread

Provide us with what we need for life.

We ask that our world be protected and productive,

to provide enough food for all.

We ask for priests, and freedom,

that the Eucharist can be celebrated everywhere.

and forgive us our sins

as we ourselves forgive each one who is in debt to us

Embrace us in your loving arms

as we turn to you in our weakness,

we trust in the forgiveness shown by Jesus;

give us a generous spirit towards others.

and do not put us to the test

Grant us your Holy Spirit to guide us through

the tests and the temptations that will come

with the gifts of discernment,

right judgement, courage, wisdom

and, above all, faith.

….Amen