the key to the treasure chest
“Forgive us the wrong we have done as we forgive those who wrong us.” —Matthew 6:12
When Jesus taught us the “Our Father,” He was trying to teach us to pray (Mt 6:9), to trust in our Abba (see Rm 8:15), and to seek first His kingdom (Mt 6:33). Jesus was not as “successful” as He planned in using the Our Father to teach us, for most of us don’t pray very frequently or fervently. Moreover, many Christians are anxious, fearful, and jealous, as if they couldn’t trust their Abba (see Mt 6:31-32). Also, we see more people seeking the things of the world’s kingdom than seeking first God’s kingdom. For many Christians, the Our Father is a locked treasure chest. We carry it around, display, touch and shake it, but don’t open it and receive its treasures.
Jesus put the key to the Our Father right next to it in the Bible. The five verses of the prayer are followed by a two verse explanation of the command in the Our Father to forgive (Mt 6:14-15). When we forgive, we can learn to pray (see Mk 11:25). When we forgive, we remove an obstacle to receiving our Abba’s love. Seeking first God’s kingdom is also a matter of forgiveness (Mt 18:23ff). Forgiveness is the key to the Our Father. Turn the key.
Prayer: “Father, forgive” (Lk 23:34).
Promise: “You are destined, it is written, in time to come to put an end to wrath before the day of the Lord, to turn back the hearts of fathers toward their sons, and to reestablish the tribes of Jacob.” —Sir 48:10
Praise: Jesus freed Kurt of his addiction to drugs. Now he is professed in a religious order as Brother Kurt.
Reference: Jesus freed Kurt of his addiction to drugs. Now he is professed in a religious order as Brother Kurt.
Rescript: "In accord with the Code of Canon Law, I hereby grant the Nihil Obstat for the publication One Bread, One Body covering the time period from June 1, 2026, through July 31, 2026. Reverend Steve J. Angi, Chancellor, Vicar General, Archdiocese of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio November 12, 2025"
The Nihil Obstat ("Permission to Publish") is a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free of doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil Obstat agree with the contents, opinions, or statements expressed.