Readings
I - Is. 55: 10-11
II - Mt. 6: 7-15
RESOLVE TO FORGIVE
In the Gospel passage of the day, Jesus asks the disciples not to heap words while praying like that of the hypocrites and gives them the pattern of all prayers. Praying is not heaping up empty phrases for the Father knows about our needs and so Jesus gives the famous prayer, “Our Father” as the pattern of all prayers. Besides praising the name of the Lord and wishing for the blossoming of his kingdom and accomplishment of His will, the prayer contains three main petitions on: Providence, Forgiveness and Protection. Daily bread from his bounty, His forgiveness based on our forgiveness and a pleading to deliver and protect us from all that is evil.
Bread nourishes and gives energy to move on with a healthy body; forgiveness fills our heart with peace and help us move on with healthy a mind; and we can tread steadily towards God with healthy mind and body if we are protected from trials and temptation. The three are essential and one alone is conditional. We pray God to forgive us as we forgive others. Meaning that if we don’t forgive we should not be forgiven either. Examine the number of times we make mistake and implore God’s forgiveness. But, do we forgive our offenders even when they plead for forgiveness. During this season of lent, make forgiveness a habit to project and testify to the love of God. May our mind and heart resonate with the prayer ‘Our Father…” and ask for God’s grace to forgive our offenders as did Jesus his executioners.
