Gospel in Art: So you should pray like this

Studies of a Woman Praying by Ludwig Emil Grimm © Metropolitan Museum, New York.

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 28 February 2023
Matthew 6:7-15

Jesus said to his disciples: 'In your prayers do not babble as the pagans do, for they think that by using many words they will make themselves heard. Do not be like them; your Father knows what you need before you ask him. So you should pray like this:

'Our Father in heaven,

may your name be held holy,

your kingdom come,

your will be done,

on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

And forgive us our debts, as we have forgiven those who are in debt to us.

And do not put us to the test,

but save us from the evil one.

'Yes, if you forgive others their failings, your heavenly Father will forgive you yours; but if you do not forgive others, your Father will not forgive your failings either.'

Reflection on the drawing on paper

In our Gospel reading Jesus gives us one of the most wonderful gifts: the Lord's Prayer. He contrasts it with the prayer of the pagans which he identifies with babble, an abundance of words. Sometimes less is more. The prayer that Jesus gives us has few words. It is a prayer that is distilled down to its essentials. It is short, but deep.

Maybe a good exercise for Lent is to pray the Our Father very slowly and spend a good few minutes on each of its lines. Doing this with its nine petitions could make the words penetrate deeper into our hearts and souls.

In the first four lines, the focus is on God. The focus of the remaining five is on ourselves and recognising our needs. Maybe today is a good day to sit in quietness and spend a bit of time on each line and allow the Lord to speak to us through those words of the Lord.

Our early 19th century work on paper by Ludwig Emil Grimm simply depicts two studies of a woman praying. Grimm was a German painter and art professor based in Hanau. After having worked as an officer in the campaign against Napoleon, he became a full time artist. The detailing of the woman's hair is particularly nice. But today, may we simply join her, praying.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-6-7-15-2023/