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TODAY’S WORD…

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Jesus continued teaching on how to pray,

“…forgive us our sins …”

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– Matthew 6:12a

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REFLECTION…

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In this part of the prayer

we admit that we are sinners.

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The Old Testament is full of references to man’s sinful condition.

Even the “righteous” are sinners.

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In the New Testament,

the forgiveness of sins is the central teaching of the Gospels.

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Jesus said:

“This is what is written:

The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day,

and repentance for the forgiveness of sins

will be preached in His name to all nations…” (Luke 24:46-47)

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Recognising our sins

is the first step in every conversion to God.

It is not a question of recognising that we have sinned in the past

but of confessing our present sinful condition.

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Awareness of our sinfulness

makes us realise a deep spiritual need

to have recourse to the only One who can cure it.
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This is the advantage of praying insistently,

and of using the Lord’s Prayer to obtain God’s forgiveness time and again.

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PRAYER…

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Father God,

forgive me my trespasses;

my sins;

my accumulated debts to You.

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Lord, I am sorry

and I beg pardon for my sins.

I detest them above all things

because they offend You, my God,

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Holy Spirit, come and strengthen my resolve

to live my life in the manner that Jesus taught me how.

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For this I pray in Jesus’ Holy Name. Amen.

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