Our Father

Dear Diocesan Family,

      During my first summer in Central Florida I gave a series on homilies at the Cathedral on the Ten Commandments.  It was a kind of “get acquainted” series and it was well-received.

      A few weeks ago I had occasion to share the concluding meditation with our staff, and they urged me to share it with all of you, as well.

      I had noticed an uncanny correlation, or interaction, between the Ten Commandments and what we call the “Lord’s Prayer.”  (It is, of course, more accurately the “Disciples’ Prayer” – Jesus’ answer when the disciples asked him, “Lord, teach us to pray.”)

      I do not know whether Jesus had worked this out beforehand, or whether it just came tumbling out of his mouth as an expression of how closely his spirit was “in tune” with his Father.  But, in any event, here it is:

I am the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage; have no other gods but me.

Our Father

Do not make for yourselves graven images to bow down and worship them, for I do not dwell in images - I dwell in the heavenlies.

Who art in heaven

Do not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

Hallowed be thy name

Keep holy the Sabbath Day - recall in so doing the innocence of Eden and the promise of my coming again to restore all things.

Thy kingdom come

Honor your father and mother and all those I have placed in authority over you; treat those under you as I have treated you

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

You shall neither kill, nor steal nor cheat, nor lie - to obtain the things you need - for I will be your Provider.

Give us this day our daily bread

If you fail in any of these things be quick to ask my forgiveness.

Forgive us our trespasses

You shall not covet –

Lead us not into temptation

- for it will only lead to bondage.

Deliver us from evil

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

      I hope this blesses you as it did me.

Love to you in our Lord,

 +John