The Lord's prayer

17th Sunday in Ordinary Time

Luke 11:1-13

Abraham pleaded to the Lord to spare Sodom if there were even at least 10 God-fearing persons.  The Lord said he would spare Sodom in behalf of the 10.

In the gospel, the apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.

Prayer can only be possible if there is an authentic relationship between the person praying and the Lord. Knowing who Jesus is and his role in the history of salvation, we might as well increase our devotion and love for him.

The Lord's prayer contains the summary of our deepest longing for the Lord.  There are three aspects that reveal our knowledge as well as devotion to the Lord:

First, adoration

Adoration demands utmost reverence to God the most High; it demands total adherence to his will and worship to his name.  Only God deserves our adoration.

Second, service

Asking for daily bread is a recognition that everything comes from God and as a sign of thanksgiving, we practice responsible stewardship for all created things, not let them lord over us, but we utilize them as God wants us to use them: for the service of one another.

Third, salvation

The prayer marks our salvation; that we are indeed meant for heaven.  As such, we need to practice compassion, forgiveness, justice and mercy.

All these taken together, marks who God is and who we are in his name.