Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 513 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 513 - Part I. What structure does the Our Father have?

(Youcat answer) The Our Father consists of seven petitions to our merciful Father in heaven. The first three petitions relate to God and the right way of serving him. The last four petitions present our basic human needs to our Father in heaven.    

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2803) After we have placed ourselves in the presence of God our Father to adore and to love and to bless him, the Spirit of adoption stirs up in our hearts seven petitions, seven blessings. The first three, more theological, draw us toward the glory of the Father; the last four, as ways toward him, commend our wretchedness to his grace. "Deep calls to deep" (Ps 42:7).    

Reflecting and meditating 

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2804) The first series of petitions carries us toward him, for his own sake: thy name, thy kingdom, thy will! It is characteristic of love to think first of the one whom we love. In none of the three petitions do we mention ourselves; the burning desire, even anguish, of the beloved Son for his Father's glory seizes us (Cf. Lk 22:14; 12:50): "hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done...." These three supplications were already answered in the saving sacrifice of Christ, but they are henceforth directed in hope toward their final fulfillment, for God is not yet all in all (Cf. 1 Cor 15:28).

(This question: What structure does the Our Father have? is continued)