WEEK 6

My Dear Parish Family,

Six weeks ago, we began this opening Fall series with the words, “Our Father who art in heaven.” Now we have arrived at, “Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” This is the last phrase of the Lord’s Prayer and the last week of our series before we enter into November and celebrate All Souls Day next Sunday.

Just before we began Teach us to Pray, one of our young adults asked an insightful question regarding just this phrase: does God lead us into temptation? It is a good question to ponder.

In 2019, Pope Francis approved a slight wording change to this phrase in the Italian translation: from “lead us not into temptation,” to “do not let us fall into temptation.” This shift aligns closely with the Spanish: “no nos dejes caer en la tentación y líbranos de mal” (do not allow us to fall into temptation and deliver us from evil). So that is part of the answer. We can see how the activity of leading is not directly divine, but that we are asking for divine protection.

Now couple that with the goal of spiritual growth. Our good Father wants us to develop into mature followers. He provides opportunities for growth. Much like a muscle does not grow and adapt unless it is used and strained, so too in our spiritual lives we must undergo strain, fatigue, even temptation. Virtue is not virtue until it is tested. Virtue increases as it is practiced. In the words of Saint Augustine, “God does not lead us into temptation, but he allows us to be tested. We ask not to be abandoned to that temptation, not to be overwhelmed by it,” (Letter to Proba, 130.10). Still, our good Lord does not allow us to be tempted beyond our strength. Hence our guardian angels who protect and defend us, while at the same time encouraging our growth and maturation.

Dependence, trust, and humility also come to the fore when we speak these words with childlike confidence. Teresa of Jesus calls us to remember that our strength comes from God. We are asking God for strength not to fall. It is the evil one who wants us to pretend that we can go it alone. So, this phrase helps us to depend on God while also reminding us of the need for assistance in the face of evil.

A supernatural battle continues for the salvation of souls. “Deliver us from evil,” is not a generic wish. One of the devil’s tricks is to convince us that he and his minions do not exist, while giving us the impression that everyone is saved. As your pastor, I remind you that a supernatural war rages to thwart humanity from participating in salvation. (Great resource: Screwtape Letters.) Jesus has saved us, but we must participate through conversion of life and sanctification. Part of “deliverance” is up to us since God respects our free will. 

In this battle, our strongest weapons are 1) daily prayer, 2) the Sacraments - especially Eucharist and Reconciliation to remain strong in God’s grace, and 3) dedication to a life of virtue. Jesus warns his followers: “Narrow is the way that leads to life and those who find it are few” (Mt 7:14).

The Our Father gives us the words and the structure to walk along that narrow way, putting God’s glory first, seeking to carry out his will, and asking for daily provision, forgiveness, and deliverance. I encourage you to continue to grow in your relationship with our good Father by using these sacred words as the beginning of deeper and heartfelt dialogue.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Joel