YOUCAT Question n. 526 - Part III. What does it mean to say, “Deliver us from evil”?
(Youcat
answer repeated) “Evil” in the Our Father does not mean a negative spiritual
force or energy, but rather Evil in person, whom Sacred Scripture knows by the
name of “the tempter”, “the father of lies”, Satan, or the devil.
A deepening through CCC
(CCC 2864)
In the last petition, "but deliver us from evil," Christians pray to
God with the Church to show forth the victory, already won by Christ, over the
"ruler of this world," Satan, the angel personally opposed to God and
to his plan of salvation. 2864
Reflecting and meditating
(Youcat comment) No one can deny that evil in the world is
devastating in its power, that we are surrounded by devilish suggestions, that
there are often demonic processes at work in history. Only Sacred Scripture
calls things by their name: “For we are not contending against flesh and blood,
but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world rulers of
this present darkness” (Eph 6:12). The petition from the Our Father “deliver us
from evil” brings all the misery of this world before God and begs God Almighty
to free us from all evils.
(CCC Comment)
(CCC 2853)
Victory over the "prince of this world" (Jn 14:30) was won once for
all at the Hour when Jesus freely gave himself up to death to give us his life.
This is the judgment of this world, and the prince of this world is "cast
out" (Jn 12:31; Rev 12:10). "He pursued the woman" (Rev
12:13-169) but had no hold on her: the new Eve, "full of grace" of
the Holy Spirit, is preserved from sin and the corruption of death (the
Immaculate Conception and the Assumption of the Most Holy Mother of God, Mary,
ever virgin). "Then the dragon was angry with the woman, and went off to
make war on the rest of her offspring" (Rev 12:17). Therefore the Spirit
and the Church pray: "Come, Lord Jesus" (Rev 22:17,20), since his
coming will deliver us from the Evil One.
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