Homily on Matthew 6:7-15 ,”The Power of ‘Our Father’ – the True Meaning of Prayer

Praise be to Jesus Christ

A small boy  Once missed his way in a busy village carnival. He became very upset as he could not find his father. Though he was surrounded by many, he felt that he was alone. Then, from a long distance, he could hear a familiar voice calling his name. He could easily identify that it was his father’s voice even among that chaos. The moment he heard the sound, he ran in that direction, found his father, and embraced him. His fears disappeared. He was no longer lost.

In the Gospel of today, we see that Jesus is teaching us how to pray. He addresses, and asks us to address, God as “Our Father.” In world religions, this is a unique teaching. Jesus is teaching us to see God as Father. This word “Father” is so powerful. It clearly states who we are. We are not strangers. We are not nomads without purpose. Nevertheless, we have a Father who loves us, takes care of us, and provides for us. Israel often called God the Almighty, the Lord of Hosts, the Creator in the Old Testament. Now, Jesus is teaching us to call God as Father.

When we address God as “Father,” we identify or consider that we are His children. This changes our approach to God. It means that when, with real understanding, we address God as our Father, we need not use empty words. We need no fear in front of God. Instead, we can approach God with complete trust, just like a little child who speaks freely with a loving father of his or her own. St. Therese believed that “prayer is not about long words but about lifting our hearts to God like a little child.” And St. Teresa says that “Prayer is a loving conversation”

If God is our Father we are all brothers and sisters. Hence, there is a duty we have to fulfill toward each other as a result of this. There is an old story of a man who gave food to a beggar and then invited him to pray the Our Father. The beggar refused. The man asked why. The beggar said, “If I pray the Our Father, then you and I are indeed brothers, and you won’t leave me outside in the cold after giving me food. I am sure that you will invite me inside. But now you do not see me as your brother, but only as a beggar. So why should I say with you ‘Our Father’? It is only ‘your Father,’ or I could say ‘my Father.'” These words opened the eyes of that man. He understood that real prayer demands a change of mind and action. If we truly call God our Father, then we must care for our brothers and sisters who are in need.

In the Old Testament, Abraham spoke to God with respect and admiration. Moses stood before the burning bush in fear. All the prophets trembled before the Lord of Israel. Nonetheless, through Jesus, we receive something greater—every one of us is invited into an intimacy with God. Just as a lost child feels safe when he finds his father, we too find peace when we recognise that God is our Father.

Today, when the prayer “Our Father” is prayed, let us truly mean what it is meant for. Let us trust in Him as a child trusts in his father. Let us also remember that prayer is not just words but it invites for action. We cannot pray Our Father and then turn away from those in need. Let us love, forgive, and serve as true children of our Father. Let us pause for a moment and reflect, when will I be able to call  Heavenly Father as “Our Father”?

Father, teach us to trust You and make us aware that you are “our father “ and every one is our  brother and sister and help us to love as true brothers and sisters. Amen.

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