“PRAYER”
Saint Matthew 6: 9-13
Lent Midweek Mass 3: 19 March Anno Domini 2020
Father Jay Watson SSP
Having been “killed” by the Law, The Ten Commandments—the pandemic and contagion of sin has to be eliminated so that the sufferer does not go to hell for eternity—the good news of Christ crucified for forgiveness, salvation and life—has re-born you. And now, as Redeemed and Holy Children you want to do what? Well, good works, and vocational activities. You also want to tell others of the reason for the joy within you. But most of all you want to thank the God that has saved and rescued you. Pray, praise, and give thanks. You desire to talk with the lover of your soul, the Bridegroom of your new family.
Thus the 3rd Chief Part of The Catechism is the Lord’s Prayer. Christians have always prayed. Adam talked with God, that’s what praying is. So did Abraham, Moses, the Judges, King David and Daniel to name a few. The “12” saw that their Rabbi and Master was constantly praying, and thus wished for him to catechize them on how to pray. If it is only something that just comes “natural” they would not have requested doctrinal guidance. Jesus gave them the words of this evening’s Gospel text. The parallel account exists in Luke’s Evangel as well.
Though there are 7 petitions in the prayer, i.e. seven requests or seven things prayed for, the crucial Gospel is found not in the petitions but in the introduction and conclusion—most especially the introduction. A whole series of Lenten sermons could be preached unpacking the fullness of the 7 petitions, but for tonight, the delivery of Christ in each of them will be brief.
“Hallowed be Thy + Name.” God is His Name and vice versa. He is holy and loves you enough to put that name upon you in Baptism. The Savior has saved you. The Christ has made you a Christian. You do want to keep your family name Holy and not defiled—as you obviously do with your own surname. This is done when The Lord’s Word is taught in truth and purity—the Bible preached and taught as Jesus wishes, and you with The Spirit’s help lead lives in accordance with it. And that you hear this Word where it is preached and taught.
When you don’t, or can’t, the Word is still preached. The Mass is still conducted. Jesus still loves you.
“Thy Kingdom Come.” God is omnipotent and His desires are accomplished: period. The elect will be saved. The Church will not perish. Those who die “in the faith,” are preserved unto eternity. Jesus does this when you are fearful—terrified—when the world seems to be burning away in disease, cruelty, and bestial behavior of your neighbors. He gives you faith through “means” to believe in His mercy and providential care when you can’t see it in the natural environment.
“Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” It is. And when you don’t pray, it still is done. When you do pray the Lord’s Prayer, He strengthens you in faith which keeps you from losing faith and panicking. God the 3rd Person keeps you reading Scripture, attending corporate worship, and praying The Prayer of Jesus.
“Give us this day our daily bread.” There was a time when people did not have modern super-markets, or huge disaster hoards of non-perishable foodstuffs. But from Joseph in Egypt during the famine, to Aesop’s fable of the ant and grasshopper, Christians know that being ready in an emergency with extra food is, in fact, God-pleasing. To feed your family is a good work and to feed your neighbor is you have extra victuals is also a fulfilling of the Law. When you look at all the Lord gives you, even a grocery store which has cut its hours and has shortages or outages of important things, is a cornucopia of God’s love. When you look at all your stuff you are indeed grateful. When you receive your true “daily” bread—The Body of Christ in the Eucharist, you dine more richly than any king or emperor, or Caesar, ever could. The Spirit gives you thankful hearts. You thank Jesus.
“And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” During this pandemic, and the dark days to come, we have all sinned in actions and verbal assaults, and evil thoughts, against our neighbors, our government, our friends who “don’t get it” like we think they should. And we all continue to sin ourselves by anger, impatience, ungratefulness, and yes, fear—fear that outstrips the action “on the ground” (there are enough problems for the day, each individual day). Fear without God gives way to selfishness, greed, and dangerous actions. Jesus forgives you these debts. You know and believe that. You can show kindness, forbearance, and forgiveness to your neighbors.
“And lead us not into temptation.” God allows and sometimes even gives you trials to strengthen you and make you more certain of salvation (for your peace of mind, and others) but He never tempts you to sin. Your old nature, the devil, and the fallen world around do all the tempting. As you pray The Lord’s Prayer The Lord Himself aids you against these demonic foes.
“But deliver us from evil.” This is the final petition and a summary of our need. The Lord does this. The greatest evil is damnation. Jesus bore the weight of our not doing what God commands so that we are not cast into the fire. Jesus died a “fiery” death of wrath poured out against our sin, on the cross, so that we do not go to hades. You are + Baptized. You are delivered from evil. Your earthly death, from car crash, heart attack, homicide, or virus, is both temporary and, ultimately, far more painful and sorrowful for your loved ones than for you. You go Jesus. Tonight, Jesus comes to you. To be always with Jesus—you are delivered from evil.
The reason this great prayer is better called the “Our Father,” is because in the introduction you are given the Gospel of how and why all of your Petitions prayed in Christ’s + Name are indeed granted to you—fully and freely. To-wit: “God tenderly invites you to believe that He is your true Father, and that you are His true children, so that with all boldness and confidence, you may ask Him as dear children ask their dear Father.”
How can this be added to or improved upon by a pastor, a Father of the Church here needs to defer to The Heavenly Father.
The Conclusion, as penned by Luther, is our conclusion: you should be certain that these petitions, (you’re asking that your needs according to Christ’s Love for you be met) are pleasing to your Father in heaven, and are heard by Him.
His is the Kingdom. But you are in His Son the King and thus you are His Kingdom preserved. His is the Power. But you are in His Son who has given you power over sin, death, and devil, In Christ Jesus. His is the Glory. But you are in His Son, the Glory of The Father and are permitted to pray to God as your Father, Our Father.
For ever and ever. Amen.
In the Name of the Father and + of the Son and of The Holy Ghost
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