Within the Catechism’s discussion about “Christian Prayer”, the ‘Hail Mary’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ are outlined and explained. Concerning the urgings of the Holy Spirit, the Catechism teaches us that the exaltation of the Lordship of Jesus is espoused in both the ‘Hail Mary’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. (Cat. 2681) Concerning ‘filial’ nature of our prayer, the Catechism asserts that the Church is drawn into communion with the ‘Mother of God’, and ‘Our Father’ in and through the ‘Hail Mary’, and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’. (Cat. 2672) With straightforward simplicity, the Catechism teaches how both the ‘Hail Mary’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ serve as examples, invocations, and petitions unto God’s Mercy.
As the ‘hodigitria’, Mary “shows the way”, and is herself “the Sign” of the way. (Cat. 2674) Furthermore, the Catechism teaches that the prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope. (Cat. 2679) Beginning with Mary’s unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the person of Christ manifested in his mysteries. (Cat. 2675) Thus, the Catechisms recognition of the Ave Maria illustrates Mary’s singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit in magnifying with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary. (Cat. 2682)
Concerning the Lord’s Prayer, the Catechism states that the Lord’s Prayer is the “summary of the whole Gospel”. (Cat. 2761) In response to his disciples’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” Jesus entrusted them with the ‘Our Father’. (Lk. 11:1) Furthermore, as Jesus is both the Master and Model of our Prayers, the Catechism teaches that the Spirit of the Lord gives new form to our desires; “those inner movements that animate our lives”. (Cat. 2764) On one hand, in the words of this prayer the only Son gives us the words the Father gave him. (Cat. 2775) On the other hand, as Word incarnate, he knows in his human heart the needs of his human brothers and sisters and reveals them to us. (Cat. 2765)
Divided into seven petitions, the Catechism outlines the Lord’s Prayer in such a way: Glory of the Father; Sanctification of his name; the coming of the kingdom; the fulfillment of his will; nourishment of our lives; healed of sin; and made victorious in the struggle of good over evil. (Cat. 2857) However, Jesus does not only give us a formula to mechanically repeat, rather Jesus gives us the Spirit by whom these words become in us ‘spirit and life’. (Cat. 2766) Thus, the seven petitions express the groanings of the present age, in which we cry ‘Abba! Father!’. (Cat. 2766, 2771)
As the ‘Hail Mary’ honors a submission of faith from ‘now, until the hour of our death’ (Cat. 2674), the eschatological character of the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is quintessential in its petition and hoping for the Lord. (Cat. 2776) Wholly, the prayers of the ‘Hail Mary’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ shine light upon the mission of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Cat. 2766) As ‘Amen’ concludes each prayer: ‘So be it’, or ‘Let it be’ expresses the concluding mystery of salvation already accomplished, once for all, in Christ crucified and risen. (Cat. 2771)
As the ‘hodigitria’, Mary “shows the way”, and is herself “the Sign” of the way. (Cat. 2674) Furthermore, the Catechism teaches that the prayer of the Church is sustained by the prayer of Mary and united with it in hope. (Cat. 2679) Beginning with Mary’s unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the person of Christ manifested in his mysteries. (Cat. 2675) Thus, the Catechisms recognition of the Ave Maria illustrates Mary’s singular cooperation with the action of the Holy Spirit in magnifying with her the great things the Lord has done for her, and to entrust supplications and praises to her, the Church loves to pray in communion with the Virgin Mary. (Cat. 2682)
Concerning the Lord’s Prayer, the Catechism states that the Lord’s Prayer is the “summary of the whole Gospel”. (Cat. 2761) In response to his disciples’ request “Lord, teach us to pray” Jesus entrusted them with the ‘Our Father’. (Lk. 11:1) Furthermore, as Jesus is both the Master and Model of our Prayers, the Catechism teaches that the Spirit of the Lord gives new form to our desires; “those inner movements that animate our lives”. (Cat. 2764) On one hand, in the words of this prayer the only Son gives us the words the Father gave him. (Cat. 2775) On the other hand, as Word incarnate, he knows in his human heart the needs of his human brothers and sisters and reveals them to us. (Cat. 2765)
Divided into seven petitions, the Catechism outlines the Lord’s Prayer in such a way: Glory of the Father; Sanctification of his name; the coming of the kingdom; the fulfillment of his will; nourishment of our lives; healed of sin; and made victorious in the struggle of good over evil. (Cat. 2857) However, Jesus does not only give us a formula to mechanically repeat, rather Jesus gives us the Spirit by whom these words become in us ‘spirit and life’. (Cat. 2766) Thus, the seven petitions express the groanings of the present age, in which we cry ‘Abba! Father!’. (Cat. 2766, 2771)
As the ‘Hail Mary’ honors a submission of faith from ‘now, until the hour of our death’ (Cat. 2674), the eschatological character of the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ is quintessential in its petition and hoping for the Lord. (Cat. 2776) Wholly, the prayers of the ‘Hail Mary’ and the ‘Lord’s Prayer’ shine light upon the mission of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Cat. 2766) As ‘Amen’ concludes each prayer: ‘So be it’, or ‘Let it be’ expresses the concluding mystery of salvation already accomplished, once for all, in Christ crucified and risen. (Cat. 2771)
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