Gospel: Luke 11: 1-4
The disciples of Jesus ask that he teach them to pray, not that they have never previously prayed, but to have a way of prayer that makes them distinctive like the disciples of John, a prayer that sets them apart from others. How often in religion do we seek to make distinctions from others, to set ourselves apart as special with particular dress, liturgical form, or whatever!
What Jesus does instead is give us a prayer that in no way makes us distinct. In having us call God 'Father' we are reminded that all of us are children of God and utterly dependent upon the Creator. In asking for our daily bread we are reminded that this is both a need and right of all people. And in asking for forgiveness we are reminded both that all are in need of God's mercy and that we ourselves must be merciful to others as well.
The disciples went seeking distinction; Jesus gives them instead a prayer of solidarity with all people. Whenever we seek to be distinct from others we are not seeking God but ourselves and our own vanities. And whenever we do so God calls us back in humility to the prayer of Jesus, the prayer of solidarity with all people that Jesus taught by word and deed to embrace.
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