Open Reflections

A meditation in eight parts of the Lord’s Prayer

Part 4

Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven

για Ελληνικά πατήστε εδώ

It is impossible to know God’s will with any certainty if we do not have a personal relationship with Him. What may this relationship be like, that may unlock, so to speak, our capacity to recognise His will? Well, the answer is simple: a prayerful relationship is the key!

While praying “Thy will be done” we seek to find out, know and consent to God’s will and so to accept it in our own life and to be realised everywhere around us and it the world. Here is the marvel: God wants us to freely consent and to collaborate with His will! We are not unsure castaways thrown in a world of impersonal immutable and cruel laws; rather, we are children of a loving Father who has created us in His image and respects our freedom and choices. At the same time He invites us to accept a mission: that of taking care of His creation!

In the Book of Genesis the Creator gives man the responsibility of the Creation (Gen. 1; 27, 280. Not only man names the animals etc, but he also is placed above all of them in order to look after them (Gen. 1; 18-20).

Nowadays we are more aware of this important charge, having to confront the challenge of what is widely called “climate change”, pollution by plastics, over fishing, desertification, the less than healthy air above our mega-cities and so on. In this world we live and work and one first step to the right direction would be the harmony among men, between societies and between peoples. Christ said: Peace i give you, my peace i leave you, not as the world gives (John 14, 27). And again, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13, 34).

As man is the apex of Creation, it follows that once men learn more and more to live in Christian love and harmony with each other, so the world will get more sane in all aspects. We are invited to use our talents, strengths and capabilities according to the will of God, in freedom and grace. God sees our good intentions and purifies us; He leads us to sanctity. For, this world is ephemeral, but we are invited to become citizens of the eternal kingdom of God. Union with Him though passes through love of neighbour.

This may be accomplished in union with Christ, the Son of God who became man in order to open for us the door to holiness, i.e. to our true fulfilment, through His Cross and Resurrection. Christ’s Incarnation is the pivotal event in history! we have all the means to seek, find and accomplish the Heavenly Father’s will; in the Church we have the Deposit of Faith, the Sacraments, the Holy Doctrine, the Liturgy and the spiritual guidance which help us to be closer to God, therefore closer to each other in the bonds of love.

So, we pray, in union with the Church throughout the world, Thy will be done, for thy Will is our Light, Life and Love.

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