The Our Father and “Thy Kingdom Come”

The assigned Gospel reading for today (the Tuesday of the First Week of Lent) is Matthew 6:7-15:

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.”

In today’s Daily Ignatian Reflection from the Magis Institute,  Dr. Sam Conedera, S.J. writes:

“I remember being surprised when I read that there are seven petitions in the Lord's Prayer.  I counted them just to make sure.  The first petition, which follows the acknowledgment of God's holiness, is ‘Thy Kingdom come.’  When Jesus teaches us to pray, he tells us to pray first for the coming of the Kingdom.

“I have prayed the Lord's Prayer countless times, yet not often is the coming of the Kingdom my first priority.  Other, more particular petitions are often at the forefront: the health of loved ones, the consolation of the sorrowing, the success of some good endeavor, the grace to get through the day.  It is quite easy to miss the forest for the trees.

“To pray for the Kingdom is, nevertheless, a great blessing.  Some of our particular intentions will be granted, while others will not be.  The latter fact can be a source of sadness or resentment.  Yet insofar as we pray for the coming of the Kingdom, we come to know, accept and celebrate the wisdom of God's plan, whether his answer to our particular prayers is ‘yes’ or ‘no.’  More importantly, we set our hearts upon the peace, joy and fulfillment that is totally beyond our imagination.”

I am grateful for this reflection and the truth it contains.

Background information:

Magis Center of Reason and Faith