Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: October 11, 2023

Date in the Ordine: Wednesday of the 27th Week in Ordinary Time

Scripture Text: Luke 11:1-4

Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, "Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples." He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be your name, your Kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread and forgive us our sins for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us, and do not subject us to the final test."

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel text presents the Our Father from the Gospel of Luke. While the prayer we recite follows Matthew’s Gospel account (Mt 6:9-15) more closely, the elements of our prayer are contained in Luke’s as well. Jesus taught us that in our prayer, we begin, rightfully, with the acknowledgment of our LORD and our desire for the LORD’s will, for the LORD’s kingdom bringing together in love all the LORD’s children. Our prayer includes our acknowledgment of dependence and reliance upon the LORD for the good and necessary in our lives, both physical and spiritual. Finally, the prayer of Jesus reminds us that we are not yet perfect and from a stance of humility, we must seek mercy and yield mercy to others.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

How much do I really love the LORD? Does my love make me capable of truly working for the LORD’s will rather than my own? Do I acknowledge my reliance on the LORD in prayer for what I need but also in humility?

Praying:

LORD, Almighty Father, your beloved Son came among us, sent by You, and revealed You to us in His teachings and His prayer. Send your Spirit to open our minds and hearts to these revelations and to strengthen our resolve to walk in your Son’s footsteps as His disciples. Grant that we may grow into the daughters and sons whom You created us to be, loving You, our Father and Creator, with all our being, and relying upon You, your grace and your transformative love. And when we fail, LORD, forgive us and sew within us an unmeasurable gratitude for your mercy and a resolve to show mercy to others. Keep us from temptation; help us to withstand the influence of evil in our world, choosing love and righteousness always. We ask this in the name of your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.