this is how you are to pray... Our Father… if you were to hear those words, you’d probably respond with “who art in Heaven” without missing a beat. This prayer ’s utterance is so frequent that we all seem to share a common cadence at which we think it ought to be prayed. Indeed, it is striking that when one visits St. Benedict’s Abbey they will undoubtedly notice that the monks recitation of the Our Father is remarkably slow – but, there is a lesson in that. Too often we are consumed not with what we are doing but, rather, what is next, perhaps to the point of ignoring the gravity of the moment that we currently occupy. As one joins the monks in slowing down their prayer, they can slowly become aware of each word – and that each word has meaning. Too often we’re in a hurry – too often we speak without thinking, not considering our words, let alone each word. Here, Fr. Jay offers us a deeper look into this most common of prayers – that we, like the monks, might consider each word. Like Christ said, “this is how you are to pray...”
22
Kans a s M onk s
