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

Pater Noster, illuminated manuscript, Flanders, Belgium © NYPL Digital Collection, New York / Creative Commons

Source: Christian Art

Gospel of 11 March 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 illuminated manuscript

The Gospels frequently depict Jesus in prayer, and on some occasions, they even reveal the content of his prayers. However, there is only one instance where Jesus explicitly teaches his disciples a prayer to recite: the Lord's Prayer. The 'Our Father' holds a unique and privileged place in the Christian tradition because it is the only prayer that Jesus Himself instructed us to pray. Despite the many differences among Christian denominations, this prayer remains a unifying force, something we can all say together in worship. In teaching it, Jesus was not only giving his followers words to recite but also a model for how to pray.

The first part of the Lord's Prayer is God-centred, directing our hearts towards God's name, God's kingdom, and God's will. Jesus teaches us that true prayer begins with an act of surrender, aligning our desires with God's purposes rather than simply presenting our own requests. Only after focusing on God's will does the prayer shift towards our own needs. Here in the second half on the Our Father, Jesus invites us to pray for daily sustenance: both physical and spiritual, for forgiveness, and for strength against temptation and evil. Notably, this prayer is deeply communal, as seen in the repeated use of "our" rather than "my"-reminding us that we do not stand alone before God but as part of a greater community of faith, united in our dependence on His grace.

Some of the greatest paintings and drawings of the Middle Ages are not displayed on church and museum walls; instead, they shine forth from the pages of books. Books of Hours were among the most significant and widely used devotional books of the Middle Ages, offering laypeople a structured way to sanctify their day through prayer. These beautifully illuminated manuscripts helped readers cultivate a deeper spiritual life through beauty. One of the most important prayers in these books was the Our Father, which was given special prominence, often introduced with the most splendidly illuminated pages. Our example here from 1450, is simply the page to The Lord's Prayer. The Our Father was not merely recited. Its words were meant to be contemplated, and the richly decorated initials, gold leaf embellishments, and intricate marginal illustrations served to elevate the reader's spiritual engagement with the prayer. We see the Annunciation depicted on the right and Jesus instructing the Lord's Prayer to his disciples on the left.

LINKS

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