Deliver Us, O Lord!

We conclude the “Our Father,” with that poignant petition,  “But deliver us from evil.” This leads us into the prayer known as “the embolism,” a short but very expressive and beautiful prayer.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil,
graciously grant peace in our days,
that, by the help of your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
           
This prayer probably dates from the earliest centuries of the Church. It is a cry of the faithful gathered for the Eucharistic Sacrifice to the Lord for the fruits and graces that come from receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. While it is the priest who prays this prayer aloud, the faithful present unite their hearts and their intentions with the priest, who stands in the Person of Christ.  Let’s take a look at each petition of this prayer.
           
First, “Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil.” This comes from a recognition that evil exists. Personified evil exists in the adversary, whom we know as Satan or the devil. We realize that we are in a spiritual battle that is both cosmic and, at the same time, very personal. We also believe that we stand in need of assistance. Therefore, we turn to the Lord and confess that we need to be delivered. This petition is an expression of humility and likewise an affirmation of confidence in God. Deliver us, O Lord!
           
Second, “graciously grant peace in our days.” We beseech the Prince of Peace to pour out upon us His grace and the peace that only He can bestow. Peace is not the absence of war or worries. Instead, peace is the blessed state in , in amidst of turmoil and adversity, we know that the Lord is always with us. He gives us the gift of His peace, which comes only from turning  to and trusting in His providence.
           
Third, “that, by the help of your mercy.” We live in a world today that is so often devoid of mercy. Hostility and division abound. The great gift of God’s mercy is invoked to bring healing into the life of the Church, into the life of the world, and into the lives of each one of us. This prayer beautifully manifests the message of Divine Mercy that for decades has been present in the Church as a prophetic voice of hope. The remaining petitions expressed in this prayer flow out from mercy.
           
Fourth, “always free from sin.” God’s mercy is the antidote to sin. The greatest manifestation of mercy is Jesus’ going to the Cross, redeeming us by His Precious Blood, and rising from the dead. Sin, the rejection of God’s love, is what caused Our Lord to go to the Cross and die for us. It is by His Precious Blood that sin is destroyed and the hearts of sinners are healed. He frees us from our sins. 
           
Fifth, “and safe from all distress.” We recognize that we are limited and weak. We know that by ourselves we cannot withstand the trials and tribulations of life. We cannot simply “set our face like flint” and move ahead in a stoic manner. We realize all too well that we need God’s grace.  Only by His merciful help can we grow in holiness as we walk our pilgrim way.
           
Sixth, “as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.” As we implore our heavenly Father, we keep our hearts fixed on what gives us hope—that Jesus our Savior will return in glory. What gives this prayer power is that the same Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has already come. He has come substantially in Sacrament of the Altar, the Holy Eucharist, and dwells in our midst. At Mass, we receive the same Lord Jesus who will come back to hand all over to His Father.
           
Finally, “For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.” We believe that all belongs to the Lord Jesus. We are created, redeemed and sanctified for the Kingdom. We are destined for the Kingdom. There the power and the glory of the Lord will be shared with us. He has come in the Flesh to bring us into the Kingdom.  He comes to us at Mass in the Eucharist to bring us back to the Father.

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh