Can you explain the word “as” in the Our Father. It has caused me pause and wonder for a very long time. I consulted the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and lo and behold, literally there is a full section on the meaning of the simple word “as” because it is loaded with meaning and many possible meanings. Does it mean “at the same level?” Forgive us our trespasses “at the same level” as we forgive others, or does it mean something else? 

Alice in Springfield

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Dear Alice,

I too have often been challenged, and many times humbled, by Jesus’ promise that we will be forgiven “as” we have forgiven others. I am glad you turned to the Catechism because it offers all of us all the treasures of our faith in one place. I would like to preface my answer by sharing with everyone just part of the section you referenced:

This “as” is not unique in Jesus’ teaching: “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect;” “Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful;” “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another.” It is impossible to keep the Lord’s commandment by imitating the divine model from outside; there has to be a vital participation, coming from the depths of the heart, in the holiness and the mercy and the love of our God. Only the Spirit by whom we live can make “ours” the same mind that was in Christ Jesus (CCC 2842).

You ask specifically if that “as” means our forgiveness must equal to that of God toward us, and I think all of us would immediately ask how that is even remotely possible? But if we examine Jesus’ teaching, we find Him constantly calling His disciples to this divine kind of love. He gives us the Our Father in Matthew 6, and if we look to the context of His words, we find more challenging instructions: “I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother will be liable to judgment” (Matthew 5:22). “Everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). “You cannot serve God and money.” (Matthew 6:24). “Do not be anxious about your life” (Matthew 6:25). “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matthew 7:1).

Jesus is unequivocal — we are called to love like our heavenly Father loves. He knows our human hearts and knows that a love less than this will never fulfil us. But how? “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” (Matthew 19:26). Notice Jesus tells us this far later in Matthew’s Gospel, and I think this is key! His answer only comes after many months with the disciples. He has been merciful toward their failings and disagreements and infidelities countless times since proposing to them a love like God’s. He never lowered the standard, but He is also unendingly patient with their struggles on the way, and He is the same with us! He will take every experience of our lives to slowly form our hearts to be like His own. Our side of the bargain is simple: stay with Him.

One beautiful way, and perhaps an approachable way, if we’re facing a particularly difficult situation that needs our forgiveness, is to take time in our prayer to imagine ourselves at the foot of the cross. Jesus has forgiven His own persecutors — “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34), — and Our Lady’s heart willingly offers the same mercy. Stand there just soaking in His forgiveness. Then, imagine the person you need to forgive there too. Perhaps they are some distance away, perhaps eventually you’re able to let them close to the cross with you, and maybe eventually even right next to you, both of you looking upon Jesus together. Then, just ask Jesus to help you to forgive. He does not call us to a love like His without offering us the grace to get there!

Father Dominic Rankin is Master of Ceremonies and priest secretary for Bishop Thomas John Paprocki, is Promoter of Vocations for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois and has a license in Theology of Marriage and Family from the John Paul II Institute in Rome.