Forgive us our sins

Ever notice how many of the Rosary prayers are plural, rather than singular?

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name….

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.

Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death.

I have to confess that I’ve always thought of this as me talking about myself, along with others who are also talking about themselves. But there may be a different way.

Suppose we’re really praying about our collective behavior, together as a community or church or society?

After all, God is the Father of all of us together, not just of each as an individual. There’s something different between being the father of a family, and being father of a few children.

Suppose that we’re praying together as a society that God forgive the sins of our society? No one of us will take responsibility for racial injustice, personally, but it still exists as a powerful and evil force in our culture. This is the system we’ve set up.

Please, God, lead us away from this temptation. Deliver us from this evil.

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