Gospel in Art: Our Father in heaven

Monk at Prayer, by J Ferrer y Pallej (1846 - 1946), Painted in 1899 © Private Collection

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 20 February 2024
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 painting

In today's Gospel reading Jesus is teaching us how to pray. The 'Our Father' is so familiar to us that, although we recite the words every day, it is often hard to be really present to the words we say and be really focussed on their meaning. It is a very special prayer indeed, which is why at Mass we stand up to pray the Our Father, just as we stand up to listen to the gospel reading. Because it has come to us directly from Jesus, it is worth paying attention to the individual petitions which make up the prayer. Indeed, every one of the petitions is a little prayer in itself which we could pray quietly and reflect upon.

The prayer has a focus on God in the first four lines: Our Father who art in heaven; hallowed be name; your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven. The focus of the remaining five lines is on ourselves and our needs: Give us this day our daily bread; forgive us our trespasses; as we forgive those who trespass against us; lead us not into temptation; deliver us from evil. Maybe today we can spend five or ten minutes to sit quietly with each petition for a short while to allow the Lord to speak to us through those words he gave us.

The Spanish painting I am sharing with you today, by J Ferrer y Pallej, from 1899, is not well known, but one I have always liked. It depicts a monk at prayer on a pebbled beach at dawn… engaging with God… it is highly likely that during his prayers he will have recited the Lord's Prayer. The light in this painting together with the sense of solitude are magnificent. The artist was a Spanish painter who specialised in landscapes and portraits, made with oils and pastels. The mastering of the skies is one of his unique features.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-6-7-15-3/