Lk 11:1-4
1[Jesus] was praying in a certain place, and when he had finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples.” 2He said to them, “When you pray, say:
Father, hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
3Give us each day our daily bread
4and forgive us our sins
for we ourselves forgive everyone in debt to us,
and do not subject us to the final test.”
FATHER! The “Lord’s Prayer” was probably taught by Jesus to his disciples in Aramaic, their native language, or in Hebrew, the language of the Scriptures and of official prayer. It has come down to us in Greek, in the version of Matthew (6:9-13) and here in Luke. It is difficult to pinpoint when and where exactly Jesus gave the prayer.
Luke presents the prayer as model for those who do not know how to pray, especially for pagans converted to the Christian faith and must pray, no longer to the gods and goddesses, but to the God of Israel who is also the Father of Jesus. Luke concentrates on the essentials in initiating the new Christians to prayer. They must first of all be taught to accept God as father. The Greek Pater translates the Aramaic Abba (“dear father”) by which Jesus addresses the Father and which is now the address of the empowered believers. Abba is the word by which infants would call their father, comparable to “Daddy,” just like they would call their mother “Mommy.” Abba therefore reveals a relationship that is simple, intimate, trustful, filial. Abba is also a more solemn, responsible adult address to a father. Grown-up sons and daughters use this to address their father, lovingly and tenderly, but also in the spirit of obedience. In fact, the only time the Aramaic Abba occurs on Jesus’ lips is when he agonizes in Gethsemane, yet accepts the cup of suffering (Mk 14:36). In a culture where a mark of true manhood is obedience to one’s father, Jesus shows his trust in God and his readiness to do God’s will.