杏MAP导航

Dear Brothers and Sisters: In our ongoing catechesis on the 鈥淥ur Father鈥�, let us continue to learn from Jesus how to pray as he taught. True prayer is made in the intimate depths of a heart visible only to God. It is a silent dialogue, like the glance between two people in love. Yet in this way the Christian does not forget the world, but rather brings its people and its needs into prayer. We notice the absence of the word 鈥淚鈥� in the 鈥淥ur Father鈥�. Jesus teaches us instead to pray: 鈥測our kingdom come, your will be done鈥�. The second half of the prayer then moves from 鈥測our鈥� to 鈥渙ur鈥�: 鈥済ive us our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses鈥�. This use of the plural shows that Christian prayer never asks bread for just one person, but always on behalf of others. In our prayer, then, do we open our hearts to the cry of others? We are all children of God, and at the end of our lives we will be judged on how we have loved. Not a sentimental love but one that is concrete and compassionate, as seen in God鈥檚 word: 鈥淎s you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me鈥� (Mt 25:40).

I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today鈥檚 Audience, especially those from Sweden, Australia, Hong Kong, Korea, the Philippines and the United States of America. Upon all of you, and your families, I invoke the Lord鈥檚 blessings of joy and peace. God bless you!