On the Lord's Prayer 16
Summary: Since we are both earth (body) and heaven (spirit), we pray that God's will may bring the flesh into harmony with the spirit.
Latin text · CSEL 3.1:278–279
Fieri autem petimus uoluntatem Dei in caelo et in terra: quod utrumque ad consummationem nostrae incolumitatis pertinet et salutis. nam cum corpus e terra et spiritum possideamus e caelo, ipsi terra et caelum sumus et in utroque id est et corpore et spiritu ut Dei uoluntas fiat oramus. est enim inter carnem et spiritum conluctatio et discordantibus aduersum se inuicem cottidiana congressio, ut non quae uolumus ipsa faciamus, dum spiritus caelestia et diuina quaerit, caro terrena et saecularia concupiscit. et ideo petimus inter duo ista ope et auxilio Dei concordiam fieri, ut dum et in spiritu et in carne uoluntas Dei geritur, quae per eum renata est anima seruetur. quod aperte adque manifeste apostolus Paulus sua uoce declarat, caro, inquit, concupiscit aduersus spiritum et spiritus aduersus carnem haec enim inuicem aduersantur sibi, ut non quae uultis ipsa faciatis. manifesta autem sunt facta carnis quae sunt adulteria, fornicationes, inmunditiae, spurcitiae, idololatriae, ueneficia, homicidia, inimicitiae, contentiones, aemulationes, animositates, prouocationes, simultates, dissensiones, haereses, inuidiae, ebrietates, comisationes et his similia: qui talia agunt regnum Dei non possidebunt. fructus autem spiritus est caritas, gaudium, pax, magnanimitas, bonitas, fides, mansuetudo, continentia, castitas. et idcirco cottidianis immo continuis orationibus hoc precamur et in caelo et in terra uoluntatem circa nos Dei fieri: quia haec est uoluntas Dei ut terrena caelestibus cedant, spiritalia et diuina praeualeant.
English · Claude translation
We ask that God's will be done in heaven and on earth, both of which pertain to the completion of our safety and salvation. For since we have the body from the earth and the spirit from heaven, we ourselves are earth and heaven, and we pray that God's will be done in both, that is, both in body and in spirit. For there is a struggle between flesh and spirit, and a daily conflict between them as they disagree with each other, so that we do not do the very things we want, while the spirit seeks heavenly and divine things and the flesh desires earthly and worldly things. And therefore we ask that by God's help and aid there may be concord between these two, so that, while God's will is done both in the spirit and in the flesh, the soul that has been reborn through him may be preserved. The apostle Paul declares this openly and plainly in his own words: "The flesh," he says, "desires against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do the very things you want. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are adulteries, fornications, impurities, filthiness, idolatries, sorceries, murders, enmities, strifes, jealousies, animosities, provocations, feuds, dissensions, heresies, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and things like these: those who do such things will not possess the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, magnanimity, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control, chastity." And therefore in daily, indeed continual, prayers we ask that God's will concerning us be done both in heaven and on earth; because this is the will of God, that earthly things give way to heavenly, and that spiritual and divine things prevail.
About this passage
Notes
Translation notes
- The quotation is Gal 5:17, 19–23 (Old Latin). "Adulteries, fornications" renders adulteria, fornicationes.
Cite this passage
Cyprian, Dom. or. 16 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/cyprian-dominica-oratione/16/).
Plain text
Cyprian, Dom. or. 16 (trans. Sophia Scriptura, https://sophiascriptura.com/fathers/cyprian-dominica-oratione/16/).
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