23 August 2026

23 August 2026 - Our Father Part Four

Transcript

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“ Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

In some ways this is a continuation of my comments from last weekend. But you would expect that in some ways because it is a continuation of Jesus’ own prayer. So we return to the question: where is heaven? Or what is heaven? Recall that I said that earth is part of heaven, the Kingdom of God. Yes, it is messed up by sin and by our inattention to God – even when there is no sin. I think there are a lot of things that we do that are a mix, not simply good or bad… some things are just neutral. However, we are called to make, as much as can be… the Kingdom of God a reality here on earth. We should intentionally try to make all our actions in line with the will of God.

So this section of the Lord’s Prayer is intended to get us thinking about the will of God in our lives. This may be the most serious question that anyone can be asked: are you pursuing the will of God? And this is where we have a convergence of thoughts, of ways of looking at this part of the Lord’s Prayer. When we struggle to act in God’s will, we are bringing the kingdom of God to fulfillment here on earth. So this part of the Lord’s Prayer is not just about asking God to complete his work – to bring his kingdom to the full – here and now. It is also about asking that we participate in that – that we be allowed to participate in the life of God and bring his kingdom to the world.

Now, I have mentioned before that I am convinced that every Catholic has heard the voice of God. We hear it in our daily decisions. We hear it when we go to Confession. And, God willing, you hear it at every Mass and at all of your times of prayer. The voice of God is not… strange to us. But allowing the voice of God to break through the noise of our daily lives is a struggle. I know I find it hard. There are times when God shouts to get my attention.

That is when I – sheepishly – bow my head and try to listen with humility. God does not shatter our world with thoughts of some… needed change in the direction of our lives. I think it is something like the problems parents have getting their teenagers to actually hear them say something! I know: that is painting a broad brush against teenagers. That may not be fair to all of them, but… Yes, speaking for myself – and I can’t imagine I am alone in this – I have not grown up very well yet. And again I remind you of the closing in my letter to Our Father that I read a couple of weeks ago: “you raised me well, dad.”

But, praying for the coming of the kingdom is more than just listening for what God wants. Although I do believe that is the biggest part that Jesus is trying to get us to think about. It includes a sense of an awareness of who God is in our lives. We even make it more solemn by using the old English word “thy”. Think about it for just a moment: would it have the same impact in your prayer if you said: “your kingdom come,” instead of “thy kingdom come”? I know it would not have the same impact on me!

So, let me summarize. Praying for the coming of the kingdom has more than one facet for us to look at. » It is a recognition that we are in His Kingdom – even now. » It is also a recognition that we have broken the relationship with our King – that is simply called sin. » But, thanks be to God, he has enabled us to understand his will, at least to a certain point. He has taught us to hear his voice. » And when we rejoice in hearing that voice we can turn to him with the solemnity and honor that is His due by saying “thy will be done…”

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Now, let’s take up the next phrase: “give us this day our daily bread.” There are some spiritual writers that have insisted that what is meant with this part of the prayer is the Eucharist. But as with so many things, I believe there is a dual meaning. I think it refers to our daily food that sustains our lives. Given the ability to raise food in our modern world, there is no reason anyone should die of starvation, anywhere in the world.

I will be so bold as to state that the reason people die of starvation today is because there are people who are too selfish – because there are people who want to stay in control – to keep their populations down and under burden. They are bad actors in our world.

But this phrase also refers to the Eucharist. For many centuries, daily Communion was not something that was supported. In fact, it was not until one hundred and twenty-five years ago that Pope Saint Pius the tenth encouraged daily Communion for our spiritual lives. So this is something we have all grown up knowing on some level.

But I do have to wonder if receiving Jesus in the Eucharist has become something… too ordinary. There is a risk that receiving Communion every time when we go to Mass is no longer something special. It is no longer an encounter that we are aware of with God. There was a mystic some years ago who “saw” Jesus going with everyone who came to receive Communion. But for some he went with his arm around their shoulder and others he went with his hands in shackles. This mystic asked: “why the difference?” And Jesus’ response was that some people he goes willingly with because they accept him and know his Presence in the Eucharist. Others he goes with, but because they do not accept him completely, he is shackled – because they have not willingly accepted Him into their hearts. So, please, don’t let that be an indictment of your reception of the Eucharist!

I remind you again of my dad’s way of receiving the Eucharist. He loved to receive it in the hand, because he would step to the side, hold the Eucharist up so that he was looking at the crucifix and the Eucharist at the same time, he would say “thank you” and then consume Jesus.

So, praying “give us this day our daily bread” also has multiple meanings, as does “thy kingdom come.” » It is a prayer asking for the end of physical hunger around the world. » It is also about a dedication to the Powerful and Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.

Though I haven’t mentioned it yet, we need to pray for a coming of the Kingdom of Jesus – in its fullness, which means the end of time. We already share in the fruits of that Kingdom through the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, and – most especially – the presence and power of the Eucharist.

“ Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread.”

Next weekend I will put a pause on my comments regarding the Our Father. 😊 It is the deacons’ turned to preach.

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