+ In our first reading today we
have mention of the word “word” – that “comes down from heaven (as do the rain
and the snow) and does not return there, until it achieves the end for which I
sent it.” This use of “word” certainly has to do with the general carrying out
of God’s will! It applies to us – who are called to be discerners of and doers
of God’s will. But the reference is also quite readily made that the “word” is
the “Word” – the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity who came down to earth to
accomplish his Father’s will – which included his own Passion and Death on a
Cross and subsequent Resurrection from the dead. The point we make is that
Jesus embraced fully his Father’s will – so that none of his life was left
unoffered to God – or returned void! Jesus told us many times: I have come down from heaven to do the
will of the One who sent me! May we vow to do the same!
The amazing “words” that the
“Word” Jesus taught us as a formula for prayer is the perfect prayer! It is a
summary of the whole Incarnation all in itself. The translation used in St.
Matthew today is not in keeping with
the spirit of the “new translations” of Scripture – but it remains not only in this passage, but also when the prayer
is used in the Mass. This translation actually originates in the 7th
century from Northumbria, England. Therefore it has the “art” and the
“hallowed” and the like. Somehow it stayed intact for many centuries. During
the Protestant Reformation, it was kept when they split – and now – it remains
as is – as a powerful hopeful ecumenical tool to draw many back to the
One faith!
A more contemporary
translation came out briefly in the 1970’s, which hopefully, one day could be
promulgated again for English speaking Catholics: it goes like this: Our
Father in heaven, / Holy is your Name. / Your Kingdom come, / Your will be done
on earth as in heaven. / Give us today our daily bread; / and forgive us our
sins as we forgive those who sin against us; / and lead us not to the test; but
deliver us from evil. / Amen.
May we continue our Lenten
disciple of silence, to better hear God speak (His words) of love!
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