In a spiritually enriching session today November 6, 2023, the Bishop of the Diocese of Buea, Michael Bibi, shared profound insights into the Lord’s Prayer as outlined in the Catechism of the Catholic Church. The teaching took place at St. Charles Lwanga Parish, Molyko Buea, and drew inspiration from the gospel passages of Luke 11:2-4, Matthew 6:9-13 and the catechism of the Catholic Church .
The Bishop emphasized that the Lord’s Prayer, according to the teachings of the Catholic Church, is the quintessential summary of the Gospel. “It is the foundation of further petitions or desires that we have as human beings. The Lord’s Prayer is at the foundation of all prayers expressed in the scriptures,” he stated.
According to catechism of the Catholic Church paragraph 2763, the Lord’s Prayer is the most perfect of prayers; In it we ask, not only for all the things we can rightly desire, but also in the sequence that they should be desired. This prayer not only teaches us to ask for things, but also in what order we should desire them.
The Bishop proceeded to break down the Lord’s Prayer into two distinct parts, consisting of three petitions and four petitions, respectively. The first three petitions, he noted, are centered on God as our Father, emphasizing that through baptism, Christians become God’s adopted sons and daughters. Bishop Bibi encouraged the faithful to strive to live according to God’s example, as children of the Almighty.
Cross section of Christians listening to Bishop Michael Bibi’s teaching about the Lord’s Prayer at St Charles Lwanga Parish Molyko Buea
“Praying the Our Father,” Bishop Michael Bibi continued, “demonstrates that our prayers should not be individualistic; rather, the Our Father is a sign of unity among all Christians, transcending different denominations.”
In addition, His Lordship Michael Bibi highlighted an important aspect of the Lord’s Prayer: there are two versions of the prayer according to the books of Luke and Matthew. The Church has chosen to use the version from the Gospel of St. Matthew, which is considered the complete version.
In the second part of the Lord’s Prayer, the Bishop elaborated on the four petitions that focus on the needs of Christians. Notably, when we ask God for “daily bread,” the prayer encompasses not just material sustenance but also spiritual nourishment in the form of the Holy Eucharist.
“In the Lord’s Prayer, we don’t just request for material food (bread), but we are also asking for spiritual food (the Eucharist),” the Bishop emphasized. He urged the faithful to continuously purify their hearts, ensuring they are always prepared to receive the Eucharist, which is the “bread of Life.”
The Bishop also highlighted the importance of sharing the blessings received from God, both material and spiritual, with others, as a responsibility incumbent upon all Christians.
Concluding his teaching, Bishop Michael Bibi emphasized one of the final petitions in the Lord’s Prayer, which underscores the necessity for mutual forgiveness and the continuous plea to God to shield us from temptation. The message resonated deeply with the gathered faithful, reminding them of the profound significance of the Lord’s Prayer in their spiritual journey.
As the Christians departed St. Charles Lwanga Parish, they carried with them a deeper understanding of the Lord’s Prayer and a renewed commitment to live according to its timeless wisdom. Bishop .
