Our Father: A paraphrase

Our Father,
Our heaven is in You!

Your name is Love, Your name is Mercy.
Your name is sacred beyond understanding.

You welcome us into Your kingdom even in this life,
if only in part, not needing to wait for death.
You open it to us who Love You, who Love Your will.
It is when we Love that we see ourselves imaged in You.

Oh merciful and generous Father,
Give us now and each day whatever we need
to grow into Your image, the image of Christ.

Teach us to promptly forgive those who we think have injured us,
Just as we hope from You your generous pardon.

Protect us from the lure of evil.
Keep us from all attachments that hide Your Face from us.

For You are Love, Truth, and Life for all creatures in all ages.  Amen

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Author: Rosalie P. Krajci

Rosalie P. Krajci, Ph. D., is a Benedictine Oblate of Mt. Saviour Monastery in Pine City, NY. She is retired from two careers: as a language teacher and as a consultant in human resources management. Her third and most rewarding career is as a spiritual director and freelance writer. Rosalie and her husband Tom raised seven children. Now widowed, she lives in the Finger Lakes area in upstate New York. View all posts by Rosalie P. Krajci