• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province

The Love that Compels

  • Migration
    • Statement from Passionist Leadership Regarding Current United States Immigration Policies
    • The Global Migration Crisis: What Can a Retreat Center Do?
  • Laudato Si’
    • Laudato Si’ 2023-24 Report and 2024-25 Plan
    • Ways to Live Laudato Siˊ
    • Sustainable Purchasing
      • Sustainable Purchasing Guide
      • Hints for Sustainable Meetings and Events
      • Sustainable Living Hints
    • Passion of the Earth, Wisdom of the Cross
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Celebrating the Season of Creation
  • Pray
    • Daily Reflections
    • Prayer Request
    • Sunday Homily
    • Passionist Spirituality and Prayer
    • Video: Stations of the Cross
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
  • Grow
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • The Passionist Way
    • Retreat Centers
    • Passionist Magazine
    • Passionist Ministries
      • Preaching
      • Hispanic Ministry
      • Parish Life
      • Earth and Spirit Center
      • Education
      • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Solidarity Network
    • Journey into the Mystery of Christ Crucified
    • Celebrating the Feast of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Subscribe to E-News
    • Sacred Heart Monastery
      • History of Sacred Heart Monastery
      • A Day in the Life of Senior Passionists
      • “Pillars” of the Community
  • Join
    • Come and See Holy Week Discernment Retreat
    • Are You Being Called?
    • Province Leadership
    • Vocation Resources
    • Passionist Brothers
    • The Life of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Discerning Your Call
    • Pray With Us
    • Passionist Vocation Directors
    • World Day for Consecrated Life
    • Lay Partnerships
  • Connect
    • Find a Passionist
    • Passionist Websites
    • Fr. Cedric Pisegna, CP, Live with Passion!
    • Passionist Alumni Association
  • Support
    • Donate
    • Monthly Giving
      • St. Gemma Circle of Giving Intentions
    • Leave a Legacy
      • Giving Matters
      • Ways to Give
      • Donor Relations
      • Testimonials
    • Prayer and Seasonal Cards
    • Privacy Policy Statement
  • Learn
    • Our Passionist History: Webinar Series
    • Proclaiming Our Passionist Story (POPS)
    • Our Founder
    • History
    • The Letters of St. Paul of the Cross
    • The Diary of St. Paul of the Cross
    • Mission and Charism
    • Saints and Blesseds
    • FAQs
    • Find a Passionist
    • STUDIES IN PASSIONIST HISTORY AND SPIRITUALITY
  • Safe Environments

Daily Scripture, March 15, 2011

 

Scripture:

Isaiah 55:10-11
Matthew 6:7-15

 

 

 

Reflection:

We often call the "Our Father" the Lord’s Prayer. But when I think about it isn’t a prayer that Jesus prayed for himself like his high priestly prayer at the Last Supper recounted by John or his prayer in the garden of Gethsemane reported by Matthew, Mark, and Luke. This is a prayer that Jesus taught his disciples to pray.

Obviously the disciples took it to heart. The Didache, the earliest account we have of the Eucharistic celebration in the Church, places the Our Father after the Canon of the Mass and just before Communion. Every catechumen was taught this prayer and recited it publicly for the first time at their baptism.

The question for ourselves who live 2000 years after Jesus taught this prayer is how it shapes our prayer life today. What attitudes and concerns do we bring to prayer?   

When we pray do we turn to the Father whose power is bringing his kingdom to fulfillment on earth? Our God is not remote, but present and active in our world. Do we thrill to the nearness and vitality of our God? Do we sense that we are cooperating with the Father’s grand plan of salvation?

Do we ask for nourishment of not only our body but our spirit? Do we yearn to be fed by the Lord?  What is the "bread" we seek? It is certainly mysterious bread because scholars today can only guess at the meaning of the adjective epiousion that modifies the bread we seek. The translation "daily" is a probable guess

When I come to prayer do I realize that I am a sinner in need of forgiveness? Am I even aware that my own willingness to forgive prepares me to receive

the Father’s forgiveness?  And finally am I ready to depend upon God in moments of temptation? Do I rightly fear the power of the evil one and look to God for deliverance?

Thank you Lord for teaching me HOW to pray.

 

Fr. Michael Hoolahan, C.P. is on the staff of Mater Dolorosa Passionist Retreat Center, Sierra Madre, California.

 

Footer

Support the Passionists

Contact the Passionists

Name

The Passionists of Holy Cross Province
660 Busse Highway | Park Ridge, IL 60068
Tel: 847.518.8844 | Toll-free: 800.295.9048 | Fax: 847.518.0461
Safe Environments | Board Member Portal | Copyright © 2025 | Log in