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THE MYSTERY OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN
I remember reciting the Lord’s Prayer at school. I was proud to know
the words and often made a point of ‘leading the others’. It seemed
more of a mental exercise, than a heart felt-prayer. Certainly, the
sincerity of the words was lost in the verbal per formance of morning
school assembly.
The Lord’s Prayer is beautiful. There is no doubt that the simple
words portray trust in a compassionate God. However, the prayer seems
to carry a deeper message. The meaning of which is lost in difficult
locution. Why? The Lord’s Prayer, is an important example of Jesus’
teachings. In those few words, He seems to sum up the mystery of our
existence. Surely, it is worthy of more thoughtful examination. Yet,
few Theologians have tried to decipher Jesus’s words and give a
meaningful expla nation to the prayer.
However, there is one shining light who gave much time and thought to
the Lord’s Prayer. He was the journalist and writer Paul Brunton.
Ph.D. His book ‘The Inner Reality’ offers insights into the teachings
of Jesus as understood by the philosopher. Paul Brunton, studied with
masters in the East as well as with masters of Occidental knowledge.
He had the best tutors and first hand experience. What could be
better?
Many of his books are still available but unfortunately not, ‘The
Inner Reality.’
I cannot quote verbatim, Paul’s interpretation of the Lord’s prayer.
My own less inspiring interpretation will have to do.
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St Fiacra – Brittany,Fr.
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THE LORD’S PRAYER
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After this manner therefore pray ye:
OUR FATHER, WHICH ARE IN HEAVEN, HALLOWED BY THEY NAME
Jesus taught, as a guide, the words of ‘The Lord’s Prayer’.
He did not mean for the prayer to become a vain repetition of words
uttered respectfully to please God. No, Jesus taught us to pray with
our hearts; that nothing must be set or fixed and formal. Prayer was
to be an outpouring of devotion to our Crea tor.
In prayer, we should utterly forget ourselves. In this self
forgetfulness is the secret of success in all prayer. For we are in
God. There is no time, no place, no state where God is not!
HALLOWED BE THY NAME
God is silent. There is no name we can give to Him. The name of God
is not one we can utter verbally. It is felt rather than addressed.
‘Hallowed be thy name means, ‘Too sacred for utter ance is thy
name’. When our thoughts and feelings have been silenced, if only for
a few seconds, we are hallowing the name of God.
THY KINGDOM COME; THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
The Kingdom of God has already come. Although it was generally
understood that Jesus was referring to a world of perfect peace, this
is not what He meant. Jesus was only interested in spiritu al things.
The world to him, was an illusory one. The Kingdom to come is not of
this earth. It is the Kingdom of Heaven, a purely intangible and
invisible kingdom which everyone must find for himself. It is in one
place alone – in the heart.
THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN
The ego must surrender to the self. The earth is the body and Heaven
is the peace we find by being at peace with ourselves and others.
GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD
Jesus was not referring to the bread we eat. Most of us have plenty of
that! He was referring to ‘spiritual food,’ for the soul. What will
keep the soul alive? The daily awakening to reality and to truth.
While we remain deluded by external events and material wealth, we are
spiritually starving. To feed our selves properly, we must reflect
deeply and meditate deeply, if only for a few minutes each day.
AND FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS AS WE FORGIVE OUR DEBTORS
Jesus used simple words to explain this illustration of the law of
destiny. The law of karma helps us to understand why we are here and
our duties towards ourselves and others. Karma is dissolved in
non-action. Karma is also dissolved through right action.
AND LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION, BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL.
FOR THINE IS THE KINGDOM AND THE POWER AND THE GLORY FOREVER.
AMEN
We will always be tempted by something or other. We cannot remove
ourselves from temptation unless we join a monastery or convent and
even then, that only removes our body from the world, not our minds.
Jesus wanted us to face our problems with courage and faith. By
overcoming our problems we would grow in power and understanding. To
deliver us from evil, is to take away our ignorance, thereby,
dissolving our guilt. God, once found, is rarely lost again.
Children Of Light 