Gospel in Art: Pray then, like this: Our Father...

Our father who Art in Heaven, Print with biblical scenes, 1876, published by HMCrider, York; Horn & Co Engravers, Baltimore © Alamy

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 19 June 2025
Matthew 6:7-15

At that time: Jesus said to his disciples: 'When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then, like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

'For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.'

Reflection on the print

In today's Gospel, Jesus teaches us how to pray, not with many words or grand gestures, but with the simple, profound prayer we know so well: the Our Father. It's a prayer we recite daily, so familiar that the words can slip from our lips almost without thought. And yet, this is no ordinary prayer, it comes directly from the mouth of Jesus Himself. That is why, at Mass, we stand to pray it, just as we stand to hear the Gospel: both are gifts we receive from Christ. Because of its importance, it's worth taking the time to truly dwell on each line, each petition, as if hearing it for the first time. Each phrase is a prayer within the prayer.

The first part of the Our Father draws our hearts to God: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. These lines orient us toward God's holiness, His reign, and His will.

The second part turns toward our human 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, but deliver us from evil.

Together, these petitions form a complete prayer, one that holds heaven and earth, God's glory and our frailty, in perfect tension. Perhaps today, we might set aside just a few quiet minutes to pray through each line slowly, letting the words settle into our hearts, and listening for how the Lord might be speaking to us through this prayer He gave us Himself. Our print, issued in 1876, rendering the Our Father on a single page and illustrated with biblical scenes, may be a good aid for prayer today.

LINKS

Gospel in Art: https://christian.art/
Today's Reflection: https://christian.art/daily-gospel-reading/matthew-6-7-15-2025-2/ (with audio)