Recently a speaker I admire reflected on the opening words of the Lord's Prayer. Each time we pray, he noted, we say almost glibly, 'Our Father...' And while much of the commentary on the Lord's prayer focuses on the word Father and the intimate relationship that God desires with us, he focused on the word Our.
He reasoned that the prayer as we know it does not refer to God as my father, but ours, with all that sharing the one father implies - namely that everyone else that knows God is my sister and brother. But do I treat all of these sisters and brothers as I would by own blood, he asked.
In my days as a school leader, I would often draw on this familial language when dealing with instances of a vulnerable students being treated as less by others. 'Every single one that wears that uniform is your brother,' I would say. 'Is this how you would want someone to treat your brother?' Generally, it had the desired impact. But again, it limited the breadth of responsibility and caring for those that are one of us.
In this Sunday's Gospel, Jesus challenges those who are in positions of power to broaden their charity to those that are not close to them in status or wealth.
'When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not ask your friends,
brothers, relations or rich neighbours, for fear they repay your courtesy by
inviting you in return. No; when you have a party, invite the poor, the
crippled, the lame, the blind; that they cannot pay you back...'
Why those who cannot repay you? On one level, because in a world in which Our Father has given enough for all, justice demands that we do what we can to redress the imbalance - to feed the hungry, clothe the naked, shelter those in need. On another, because focusing on those who have nothing cultivates in us a disposition of gratitude for what God has given us.
As a community, the challenge is first to look around us and ask who is not there. Who does not have a place, is not made welcome, is left on the margins? And secondly to do something about it - to choose leaders that are moved by compassion to bring about change in our society. To vote, not with self-interest, but the common good in our hearts and minds.
As a Church we know this as solidarity, and a preferential option for the poor. As a country we know it as a fair go for all. In reality, do we know it at all?
As we come to the Lord's table this Sunday to share and give thanks for the Lord's great love for us, may we be moved to extend the same generosity to those in need. Then, in good conscience we can continue to pray, 'Our Father.'
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