When tempted by the Devil in the desert, as we heard this last Sunday, the Lord himself drew upon the scriptures to overcome the lies and falsehoods of evil. He even quotes God’s Word about the importance of God’s word: “Man does not live on bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.”
In the Gospel today, from the mouth of God, Jesus gives his disciples a prayer, a very powerful prayer, the Lord’s own prayer—a prayer which encapsulates and is drawn from so many powerful, holy, and inspired sentiments throughout the Scriptures. It is a prayer that exposes and unravels so many of the devil’s falsehoods, making it a powerful remedy to our many temptations.
Let’s break it down. Calling upon “Our Father Who Art in Heaven” is hateful to the devil who is covetous of our worship and furious of being casting out of heaven. The humility of the words “Thy Will Be Done” is utterly insufferable to the enemy who refused to bend his will to God’s.
“Give us this day our daily bread”, recognizes that we are not self-sufficient and independent of God as the enemy would like us to be, but trusts in God to provide for us, which the devil refused to do. The petition for forgiveness for our trespasses counters both the despair and the unrepentance the devil would like to sew in us—he wants us neither to ask for forgiveness or believe that we are capable of receiving it. And he hates that we would pray for the grace to extend forgiveness to others, for the devil is completely unmerciful, and wants to refashion us in his own cruel and merciless image.
The last two petitions are when the battle for truth and goodness really get going. “Lead us not into temptation” humbly recognizes that we are capable of temptation. And this the devil also hates, for he wants to remain hidden, not wanting to be exposed for his corrupting influence. For if an unholy thought can be traced back to him, his defeat is near at hand.
Nor does he want us to think of the consequences of following his temptations which lead to perdition.
Finally, “deliver us from evil” unravels the devil’s great lie that we are beyond salvation, that God is absent or unwilling to help us in times of trouble. The devil does not want us to cry to God for rescue and help, he wants us enslaved and puffed up with pride and independent from God as he is. His misery loves company. But this petition is the slap in the devil’s face and provides the path of freedom for God’s people. It is always heard and answered for those who pray it fervently.
The Devil hates the Lord’s prayer, for it unravels his designs, it exposes his hatred for God and mankind; it is painful to him, for it shines light upon the darkness of his lies.
May it be found on the lips and hearts of God’s people today and all days, for by it we reject with determination the falsehood and evil of the devil, and we turn to the Word of Truth of our good and loving God and provident Father, for the glory of God and salvation of souls.
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For “an immediate end to the hostilities in Ukraine, for a restoration of peace and for the safety of all Ukrainian citizens. And for the Ukrainian community in Northeast Ohio, that their friends and family members in their beloved homeland be kept out of harm’s way.”
For mercy for the most vulnerable of our human family, the unborn; that their mothers may choose life and be supported by a culture of life.
For the young people of our Church. May they be strengthened to be witnesses to the Gospel of mercy and work for a future that embodies a genuine culture of mercy.
For those preparing to enter the Church at Easter: that they will be profoundly blessed in their preparation for full initiation into the Body of Christ. .
For the needs of the poor, the hungry, the homeless, those who are sick, unemployed, or suffering from addiction, mental, or physical illness, imprisoned, and those most in need: that the Lord in his goodness will be close to them in their trials.
For the repose of the souls of our beloved dead, for all the poor souls in purgatory, and N. for whom this Mass is offered.
Grant, we pray, O Lord, that your people may turn to you with all their heart, so that whatever they dare to ask in fitting prayer they may receive by your mercy. Through Christ Our Lord.
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