On Pope Francis, the Lord's Prayer and Us
Recently the Pope called for a new translation of the clause of the Lord's Prayer, “lead us not into temptation,” for God does not require of us harmful events and effects. He intends for us good, and leads us away from harm. All this is true enough, though there has been, in the history of theology, more to say. Since the Lord is all-powerful, He does permit us to wander into temptation. Thomas called this his “permissive will” which is tied up with the mysteries of His creating us freely to love and obey Him. We may recall that God's Son prayed that the cup of suffering might pass from him, and then rose up to face what His Father asked of Him.
There is one more thing to say here, and it has to do with eschatology, the doctrine of the last things so important in Advent. The word for “temptation” refers to the testing, the great trial, which must come before the Kingdom. This is where the example of Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane is pertinent. This is the moment of witness before the world, literally of “martyrdom,” of a public and costly “Yes” to Jesus. He does require this of His saints according to His will, though we like Jesus may pray to be spared it. The saints did not try to get themselves martyred, but they needed to be faithful.
Shall we then stop speaking of being “led” to or from “temptation?” I don't think so. All I have said is background to the smaller, daily summons to each of us to rise up and witness with our lives.
Peace
+GRS
