Categories: uncategorized
Date: 09 August 2005 10:48:12
Our Father is truly giving me much deeper insights into this wonderful prayer. It is like discovering it anew. I remember having a similar sense when I read The Lord's Prayer section of Martin Luther's The Larger Catechism several years back. The emphases are different, however it is always a blessing to be drawn deeper into this prayer.
Fr Schmemann explains that the word daily really means "substantive": that which is essential for survival. He talks about how food was given to us as a gift from God, and we partake of it in order to develop into "the image and likeness of God." (p. 57) I must say I am rather confused on this particular point: I am guessing it has to do with food not being for it's own sake, but as a gift and therefore as a way to commune more closely with God. If anyone has read the book and can shed some more light, I'd be appreciative.
But I could understand the final few pages of the chapter (each chapter is only ten or so pages long). I found them particularly informative and worthy of plenty of thought:
"(You) Give us": this means that the ultimate source of all this for us is God himself, his love, his concern for us; in whatever form or from whomever we may receive the gift, all is from him. But this means that the first meaning and goal of these gifts is God himself.We receive bread, we receive life, but in order that the purpose of life may be revealed. And the purpose of this life lies in God, in knowledge of him, in love for him, in communion with him, in the joy of his eternity, and in that life which the Gospel calls "life in abundance" (Jn 10:10).
...
"Give us this day..." In your love, give us all this today, give us not simply to exist, but to truly love that full, meaningful, and profoundly divine and eternal life, for which you created us, which you gave us and which you always give us, and in which we come to know, love, and give thanks to you.
pp. 60 - 62