----- Forwarded Message ----
From: William . . .
To: Fr Donald . . .
Sent: Wed, February 24, 2010 7:24:27 PM
Subject: Re: [Blog] Tuesday's Gospel
Dear Father Donald,
I love the sensitive commentary of Saint Teresa Benedicta of the Cross [St. Edith Stein] on The Lord's Prayer.
I would like to share with you extracts from the [1,380 word] commentary in the 'Christian Community Bible' (Claretian Publications, St Pauls - Philippines). I enjoy the delightful simplicity and directness of the commentary that runs alongside the text:
In Matthew’s text there are twelve verses expressing seven petitions: two perfect numbers: three (God’s number) that refers to God, four (earth’s number) that refers to our needs... Holy be your name! The Father only wants to seal us with his Name so that we will be united with him, like the Father and the Son united by the Holy Spirit... In the language spoken by Jesus, the key word is come: Your Kingdom come. With the coming of Jesus, that Kingdom has come near to us. The believers now perceive him not as a God who imposes obligations, but recognize him in the gift of his Son, in the humiliation of the Son and in their mutual love... On earth as in heaven. It reminds us that everything in this world that is created and subject to time depends on another, uncreated world, where time does not exist and which is nothing less than the mystery of God. There the Father sees the universe unified in Christ and his will fulfilled and glorified by all... What should we say? The bread “we need” or our “daily” bread or sustenance? The original text uses a difficult word that has different meanings. Many have understood that the children of God feel the need of much more than what is asked for the body, and that the eucharist was already meant as it is in the miracle of the multiplication of the loaves... When we forgive someone who asks for forgiveness, we free ourselves from some rancor or hatred that is poisoning us. Inasmuch as we stick to our rights, we hold fast to this world. God wants to forgive us and bring us closer to him, but how can he if we remain anchored to the things of this world?.. We will be more prudent if we know that the enemy is not simply evil, but the evil one. Somebody stronger than ourselves is watching to deceive us, to make us lose faith and fall, as soon as we feel sure of ourselves and abandon the means given by Jesus for perseverance in the faith and in the Church.
Rather more mystical and affective are the readings (laid out in the Divine Office, Vol 3, Office of Readings, Week 11) from the treatise of St. Cyprian 'On the Lord's Prayer'. On Tuesday, I had thought this series of readings was beginning, for the reading was from the early chapter of this treatise.. but it was only the introduction that was appointed for the day, to correspond with the Gospel passage! So I contented myself with other commentaries until your Blog posting showed that exquisite reflection of St. Edith Stein.
Thank you for all the delights you discover to us!
. . .
William
+ + + Thank you, William.
The Eucharistic wonders go on with the unfolding by the Saints and the grace of the Holy Spirit.
Quite unending as more light shines . . .
| Meister Eckhart, On the Lord's Prayer | ||
| English Translation and Commentary | ||
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