27th week in Ordinary Time, Wed. Oct. 11,2006

Galatians 2:1-2,7-14. Psalm 117:1-2. Luke 11:1-4.

As a writer and evangelist, Luke differs from the others in his style and theology. He likes to summarize and to abbreviate. Has he done this with the shortened form of the Our Father? We are so used to the longer form of St. Matthew. Luke has but four petitions while Matthew has seven petitions. Both, however, have the same eschatological perspective looking toward the Kingdom and God's end purpose in salvation history. Luke is probably not abbreviating the Pater Noster but simply taking it from a different liturgical tradition and community than Matthew has done. Luke is a Gentile while Matthew is Jewish; both, now are Christians writing for thedifferent communities of those believing in Jesus as Messiah and Savior.

Luke introduces the prayer by simply saying, "Father," and then continues with his four petitions. Matthew uses the more Semitic expression common to first century Judaism, "Our Father, who art in Heaven." Luke is the Evangelist of prayer so we see Jesus at prayer. This leads the disciples to beg Jesus to help them pray as he does. He is modeling prayer for them.

There are many commentaries on the background of the Lord's Prayer in both Luke's and Matthew's version. The important message for us that we pray this great prayer with attention and with all our heart. Luke, as evangelist, will help us to understand that his Gospel is threaded with the theme of prayer more than the others. Mark and John have no Lord's Prayer! In an early writing called the Didache or Teaching of the Twelve there is another version, but it is so slight, that Matthew's probably is its source. Perhaps, since we are listening to Luke today, we should pray it without delving into the background. Afterall, prayer is what is essential. It is a shorter version and Jesus himself warns us against prattling on in prayer. The older monks of the desert likened prayer to javelins of love wafted in the heavens to God---short, direct, on target.

The Psalm that we have for today is the shortest in the Psalter but a beautiful hymn of praise. It fits in with the shorter version of St. Luke and the encouragement to pray with direct confidence. No need for repeating and prattling on when we are on target with the crispness of Luke. And Jesus is said to have taught prayer this way : "In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him ." (Matthew 6:7-8). AMEN.