I would like to continue reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer. It may be harsh to say that familiarity breeds contempt. I think, however, that we say it so often that it can become “automatic”, and we miss the depth of what we are saying. It only takes about 20 seconds to pray, but as the Catechism of the Catholic Church reminds us: It is truly the summary of the Gospel.
We say: OUR Father.
Remember that we can address God as Father, Abba, the would for Daddy. Our relationship is that intimate.
“Our” indicates that the prayer is that of a group of people who consider themselves children of God and who call God their “Father”.
We address God as “Our Father who art in heaven” because we belong to Him, our loving Father, who created us and watches over us, who adopts us through sanctifying grace as His children, and who destines us to live forever with Him in heaven, our true home. (From the Baltimore Catechism. Remember that?)
God is not our possession, rather we are His. You shall ne my people and I shall be your God. We address God as “Our Father who art in heaven” because we belong to Him, our loving Father, who created us and watches over us, who adopts us through sanctifying grace as His children, and who destines us to live forever with Him in heaven, our true home.
Eph 4:6 – “one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”
We say OUR Father because we are His beloved. He does not belong to us. We belong to him. We are his people the flock that he guides. Ps. 95
Saint James Catholic Church 