The Devil made me do it.....Day 37 Wednesday in Holy Week

Day 37 Wednesday in Holy Week

"And do not bring us to the time of trial,
        but rescue us from the evil one."   Matthew 6.13

Jesus offers us the Lord's prayer in two places, here in Matthew above and also in the Gospel of Luke.  The prayer is simple and to the point.  There is not a lot of fancy words or wasted window dressing; but Jesus invites us to get right to the heart and point of our communication: we give honor to God, we pray for God's Kingdom to come in our midst, we ask for our 'daily bread' which is those things we need for life and health, we ask for and pledge to live by the word of forgiveness and finally we ask to be saved from times of trial and to be rescued or delivered from the evil one (evil). 

GAUGUIN, Paul Words of the Devil (Parau Na Te Varaua Ino)
1892

I do believe that evil is real, and I'll also accommodate those who understand evil as being personified in a particular being; for it all points to the same reality that there are forces at work which are counter to the forces and intention of God.   In my experience these forces enter into the systems that manage our lives: politics, church, finance, industry, family and community.  They are subtle and often disguise themselves as a plea for some greater good.   But here is my test to see whether or not evil is a foot.  Does the solution, implication, direction counter the words of the Lord's prayer.  Does it take away the honor and sovereignty of God?  Does it work against the Kingdom of God as Jesus proclaimed it?  Does it keep others from receiving what should be their 'daily bread?'  Does it call for retribution rather than forgiveness?  

This is not perfect, but if things can't pass the "Lord's Prayer" test...well then I say to them, "Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen.

A prayer for today:  "Our father who art in Heaven, hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread.  And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.  Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  Amen"