A husband and wife were discussing their living wills. The husband said, “Just to be clear, I would never want to live in a vegetive state, dependent on a machine and fluids from a bottle…. If I ever get to that state, I want just want you to pull the plug.” His wife thought about his request, then got up, unplugged the TV, and threw out all his beer. [Adopted from William Bausch, Once Upon A Gospel, p.220] Sometimes we get what we ask for; sometimes that answer is a surprise.
I our reading from Genesis God answers Abraham request, his prayers – Yes. The prayer sounds almost like a countdown: 50, 45, 40, 30, 20, 10 …. Unfortunately, there were not even ten innocent people in Sodom and Gomorrah. Ten good people in Jewish tradition pointed to the importance of righteous individuals and the potential for even a small group to influence their community. Think about an individual or group of people who have influenced you for the good & offer a thank you prayer for them.
In the Musical Wicked, there is a song “For Good.”
In that song Glinda sings “I’ve heard it said That people come into our lives For a reason Bringing something we must learn….
Elphaba sings “So much of me is made of what I learned from you….”
The song offers us this powerful insight, “Because I knew you, I have been changed for good.”
God couldn’t find ten good people in Sodom and Gomorrah let’s work at being part of the good people God can find in Bethlehem,
Part of our mission as Catholics is to be a catalyst for good, the prayer that Jesus teaches us today in the Gospel provides our spiritual foundation to do that.
Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, and He offers them The Our Father. The prayer that is woven into the fabric of our liturgies and our lives. I want to share with you a few thoughts on the Our Father.
As we pray, “hallowed be Thy name” we pray to make space for the reign of God.
As we pray “Thy Kingdom come” – we pray for the end of the world & fulfillment of the reign of God.
As we pray, “Thy will be done” – we surrender our will to God, to God’s plan of salvation.
As we pray “lead us not into temptation” we appeal for help, so we don’t fall into temptation.
As we pray “give us this day our daily bread” we ask for the super substantial bread – the Eucharist.
Jesus taught them & us to call God: “Father.”
That address is very personal, very tender, very intimate, very loving – like beginning “Dad” in a trusting & familial way.
The Our Father prayed in a loving way is a beautiful & profound prayer.
Fr. Gerhard Lohfink wrote a short & powerful [112 pages], “The Our Father: A New Reading.” Reading it would be a wonderful way to deepen your awareness & love of this beautiful prayer.
This week as you pray the Our Father remember to call God, “Abba” – “Dad.” Jesus invites us to pray inside God [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit].
Recently I received an e-mail entitled "Things I Really Don't Understand."
· Why do doctors & lawyers call what they do practice?
· Why is abbreviation such a long word?
· Why is a boxing ring square?
· What was the best thing before sliced bread?
These questions are a lighthearted reminder that there are indeed a lot of things in this life that we just really don't understand. But the Our Father we do understand, we understand it takes us to God and reminds us that our journey here is preparation [for eternity].
Spend some time this week praying and meditating on the Gift of prayer given to us by Jesus – especially the Our Father.
May God Be Praised.
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