Sed libera nos a malo (But deliver us from evil)

 SED LIBERA NOS A MALO

NARRARE

There are prayers before receiving the Eucharist. The priest recites a prayer named, The Lord's Prayer. Also known as the "Pater Noster," this translates to "Our Father."  I remember listening to this prayer in Latin, I would listen to each word, and feel more appreciation for the liturgy. Mainly, because I understood what was being said due to having the English version memorized. Out of the entire prayer, the phrase that stood out to me was the last four words, "Sed libera nos a malo."  I knew it meant, "But deliver us from evil,"  but I wondered, "What about those who do not comprehend what it means?" Which is why this questioned is answered below: 

ETYMOLOGY

• "Sed," translates to "But" in English. It's a conjunction used to contrast or introduce a contrasting idea.

• "Libera nos," translates to "deliver us." "Libera" is the imperative form of the verb "liberare," which means "to free" or "to deliver." "Nos" means "us."

• "A malo," translates to "from evil." "A" is a preposition meaning "from," and "malo" is the ablative form of the noun "malum," which means "evil" or "misfortune."

Together, "Sed libera nos a malo" literally means "But deliver us from evil," as it appears in the Lord's Prayer. It is a plea for protection, and guidance from the dangers, and temptations of evil. This follows in accordance to Mass, because afterwards the priest recites a more detail-oriented prayer, asking God to free us from which evils we beg to be delivered from.

Below is the full Lord's prayer in Latin, and English: 

Pater noster, 

qui es in coelis: 

sanctificetur nomen tuum: 

adveniat regnum tuum: 

fiat voluntas tua, 

sicut in coelo, et in terra. 

Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie: 

et dimitte nobis debita nostra,

 sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. 

Et ne nos inducas in tentantionem. 

Sed libera nos a malo. 

Amen. 

Our Father,

who art in heaven,

hallowed be Thy Name: 

Thy kingdom come,

Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread. 

And forgive us our trespasses, 

as we forgive those who trespass against us. 

And lead us not into temptation. 

But deliver us from evil. 

Amen. 

VISUAL REPRESENTATION OF THE PATER NOSTER OF THE TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS

TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS: PATER NOSTER

TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS: PATER NOSTER