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Gospel Reading for February 20, 2024 – Matthew 6: 7-15
VERY GENEROUS AND LOVING
Jesus said to his disciples: “In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
“This is how you are to pray:
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name,
thy Kingdom come,
thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
“If you forgive men their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive men, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.”
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Jesus had a very intimate relationship with his Father which the gospels tell us – how he prayed to him during times when great crowds pursued him, and most especially when he was about to be executed. Being the Saviour, he could have just told us about his Father. But to teach us to pray to his Father, as if his very powerful Father were our own, is truly a VERY GENEROUS AND LOVING gesture of Jesus. Because by teaching as to pray “Our Father,” he was already making us part of his family. Those of us who experienced being made part of someone else’s family would know how beautiful the feeling is.
Our Father, we thank you for giving us your only Son Jesus, to be our Saviour and our Lord!
