Perfect Prayer

“The Lord’s Prayer is most perfect” (ST II-II q. 83, a. 9). Such a bold claim might be supported by observing the centrality of this prayer in Christian life. In the first decades of the Church, the Our Father came … Continue reading

Praying Amid Scandal

How do we pray amid Church scandals? One helpful way is to return to the basics: The Our Father. For this meditation, I’ll look to the various parts of the prayer in reverse order. Deliver us from evil — Father, … Continue reading

To Forgive Another

“Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.” We pray these words routinely as Christians, yet their weight should give us pause. We all need forgiveness, but to offer forgiveness often feels beyond our ability. This … Continue reading

Call Him Father

When meeting someone important, there is always one question that precedes every conversation: how do I address this person? Is it Your Highness, Your Excellency, Mr. President, simply Sir or Ma’am? It’s not an idle question. The importance of the … Continue reading