Your Father knows what you need

19 FEBRUARY (Mt 6,7-15)

In the Old Testament man was revealed that the Lord is the giver of wisdom. This takes man under its wing and leads him from light to light.

God of my fathers, Lord of mercy. you who have made all things by your word And in your wisdom have established man to rule the creatures produced by you, To govern the world in holiness and justice, and to render judgment in integrity of heart: Give me Wisdom, the attendant at your throne, and reject me not from among your children; For I am your servant, the son of your handmaid, a man weak and short-lived and lacking in comprehension of judgment and of laws. Indeed, though one be perfect among the sons of men, if Wisdom, who comes from you, be not with him, he shall be held in no esteem. You have chosen me king over your people and magistrate for your sons and daughters. You have bid me build a temple on your holy mountain and an altar in the city that is your dwelling place, a copy of the holy tabernacle which you had established from of old. Now with you is Wisdom, who knows your works and was present when you made the world; Who understands what is pleasing in your eyes and what is conformable with your commands. Send her forth from your holy heavens and from your glorious throne dispatch her That she may be with me and work with me, that I may know what is your pleasure. For she knows and understands all things, and will guide me discreetly in my affairs and safeguard me by her glory; Thus my deeds will be acceptable, and I shall judge your people justly and be worthy of my father’s throne. For what man knows God’s counsel, or who can conceive what our Lord intends? For the deliberations of mortals are timid, and unsure are our plans. For the corruptible body burdens the soul and the earthen shelter weighs down the mind that has many concerns. And scarce do we guess the things on earth, and what is within our grasp we find with difficulty; but when things are in heaven, who can search them out? Or who ever knew your counsel, except you had given Wisdom and sent your holy spirit from on high? And thus were the paths of those on earth made straight, and men learned what was your pleasure, and were saved by Wisdom. (Wis 9,1-18).

The prayer of Jesus changed perspective totally. He no longer asks for wisdom as his guide and teacher. He asks the Heavenly Father to make him every day his real son, true instrument of his reign and true performer of all his will. The Father with a non-stop action is the one who must shape him according to his eternal plans. It is his grace that will have to change a man and transform, elevate and make him a real son.

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 in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, 7 your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one. If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

A man is also a body and the body needs a piece of bread. This must also be given by the Father. The Father gives it if a man becomes his true son every day, seeking the kingdom of God and its righteousness. However, man is a sinner. Every day, he offends God and his neighbour, and every day he is offended. The Lord forgives him the offenses made against Him, if a man forgives the faults made against his person. He is forgiven who forgives. There is also the Evil one that like a roaring lion goes around man seeking to devour him. Even from the Evil one the heavenly Father liberates us: not allowing us to fall into temptation. Protecting us from the very temptation. Not letting it to break out against us. God is the guardian and liberator against all evil.

“Our Father” is a complete prayer. Man’s whole life is contained in it. Who recites it with faith is placed in a house of steel and bronze. Nothing might touch him. He might not be missing in anything because the Lord is concerned about everything. Man must worry only about one thing: remaining in the will of his Father who is in heaven. “Our Father” is the new dimension of our existence as true children of God.

Virgin Mary, Mother of the Redemption, Angels and Saints make us true children of the Father.