At Wednesday’s General Audience in St. Peter’s Square in the Vatican, Pope Francis continues his catechesis on the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father”. This Holy Week, he focuses on three prayers of Jesus to the Father as He nears His death and resurrection. Below please find the official English-language summary of his catechesis:
Dear Brothers and Sisters: In these weeks we are reflecting on the “Our Father”; now, on this eve of the Easter Triduum, let us consider three prayers that Jesus makes to the Father as he approaches his death and resurrection. The first takes place after the Last Supper: “Father, the hour has come; glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you” (Jn 17:1). Second, full of anguish in the garden of Gethsemane, our Lord entrusts himself to God with the tender word “Abba, Father” (Mk 14:36). Third, at the height of his torment on the cross, Jesus prays for us: “Father forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Lk 23:34). As we pray the “Our Father” in the coming days, let each of us ask for one of these three graces: to live our lives for God’s glory, that is with love; to know how to entrust ourselves to the Father in moments of tribulation; and, in our encounter with the Father, to allow ourselves to be forgiven and to find the courage to forgive others.
I greet the English-speaking pilgrims and visitors taking part in today’s Audience, especially those from the Netherlands, Australia, the Philippines, Canada and the United States of America. My particular greeting goes to the delegation from the NATO Defense College. May this Holy Week lead us to celebrate the resurrection of the Lord Jesus with hearts purified and renewed by the grace of the Holy Spirit. God bless you all!
