Chapter XXXVII

Of the beauties of the Pater Noster and the great consolation it brings us.¹

1. All perfection and contemplation comprised in the Pater Noster. 2. It is suited to every one. 3. The reward of efforts made for God. 4. 'Lead us not into temptation.'

1. The sublime perfection of this evangelical prayer is marvellous and we ought to thank God fervently for it. So admirably is it composed by the good Master that everybody may apply its meaning to his own wants. I am astonished at finding all perfection and contemplation comprised in it,² so that there seems to be no need to study any other writings. For here our Lord has unfolded to us mental prayer from its very beginning, through the prayer of quiet and union up to the most high and perfect contemplation. Therefore, if I had not already written about it elsewhere, and also for the reason that I dare not enlarge upon it as the results would only be exasperating, I could, were I able to express myself, write a large book on prayer based upon this solid foundation. Our Lord here shows us, as you have seen, the effects of prayer and contemplation when they are divine graces.

2. I have sometimes wondered why His Majesty did not speak more clearly on such sublime subjects, so that we might all understand His meaning: then I reflected that perhaps Christ left the meaning obscure because this prayer was meant for all men, and thus each one might ask for what he wanted and might feel happy in the idea that he was using the words in their right sense. Blessed be His Name to endless ages, Amen! I implore the Father, for His Son's sake, to remit all my debts and grievous sins, for there is neither cause nor person that requires forgiveness from me. Every day I have fresh need for pardon, and may He grant me the grace of having something to offer Him every day in compensation for my own offences. Contemplatives, and very devout people who seek no earthly goods, may ask for the heavenly favours which, by the great mercy of God, can be enjoyed while we still live in this world. The good Jesus has here taught us a most celestial prayer by which He seeks that we may resemble the angels while still in exile here, if we strive with all our might to conform our actions to the petitions we make — in short, if we do our best to be the children of such a Father and fit brethren of such a Brother. As I said, if His Majesty sees that our works conform to our words He will not fail to grant our prayers, to establish His kingdom within us, and to aid us with supernatural graces such as the prayer of quiet, perfect contemplation, and the other favours with which God rewards our small efforts. People who live in the world do right in conforming to the duties of their state, and may hereby ask for the bread that they require to maintain their households. This is right and just, as it is for them to pray for whatever else they need. But, let them notice that the two things — yielding up our will and forgiving others, apply to everybody. It is true that there are degrees in the way of carrying them out — perfect souls resign their will perfectly and pardon wrongs with the perfection I described,³ while as for us, sisters — well — we do our best, and our Lord receives all we offer Him. We can neither do nor gain much for ourselves, but as it is all we can do God is sure to help us, since His Son begs Him to do so. Christ seems to have made a sort of agreement on our behalf with His eternal Father, as if He had said: 'Lord, if Thou doest this, My brethren shall do that'.

3. It is certain that He will never fail on His part and oh, what a Paymaster He is, and how boundless are His rewards! It is possible, daughters, that, as He sees that there is no duplicity about us but that we shall fulfil our promises, some day when we say this prayer He will leave us rich. Never practise any evasion with Him, for His Majesty is greatly pleased if we are sincere with Him. We can never succeed in deceiving Him, because He knows all things. Do not say one thing and mean another: if we treat Him with truth and candour, He will always give us more than we ask for. Our kind Master knows that those who tend to great perfection by reciting this prayer will reach to a high degree by means of the graces the eternal Father will bestow on them, and that perfect souls, or those who are on the road to become perfect, have already trodden the world beneath their feet, at which the Sovereign of the universe is well pleased. These souls, from the effects they discover in themselves, may feel a strong hope that His Majesty is contented with them, and, inebriated with these delights, they would not willingly remember the present world nor that they have any enemies. O eternal Wisdom! O great Teacher! What a boon it is, daughters, to have such a good Master, Who is wise and prudent and Who wards off all dangers! This is all that a devout soul could desire, for it means perfect safety.

4. No words can exaggerate the importance of this. Our Lord saw that it was necessary to arouse such souls, and to remind them that they had enemies and that there is even greater danger in their growing careless: He knew that they have more urgent need than others of help from the eternal Father because they would fall from a greater height. That they might also be guarded from being unwittingly deceived, He offered this petition, so necessary for us all while we live in the exile of this world: 'Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, Lord.'