Yesterday, I asked several of my co-workers a question about the Our Father prayer. I asked each of them when you pray the words: “…thy Kingdom come thy will be done and earth as it is in heaven…”—what does the part “thy will be done” make you think of?
Three people said in so many words: I think about God having a plan. Each of them finds a sense of peace and reassurance in knowing that God has it all figured out.
So, what do you think about when you say to God the Father: “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” ---what comes into your mind? What are you or I signing onto when we make that prayer?
God's Plan
That’s actually the point I started with—what does doing the will of God entail? Obviously, God’s plan covers all of humanity on earth from Adam and Eve until Jesus comes again, and then please God for all of us to be in heaven with Him.
But between now and when we each meet God face to face, what does doing the will of God look like in the big and the ordinary days of our lives?
Saint Thomas Aquinas
Well today’s saint, Saint Thomas Aquinas, a priest and theological doctor of the Church, sought to do the will of God by answering the call to religious life by joining the newly formed Dominican Order.
For Saint Thomas, that was the first step, doing the will of the Father by giving his life as a religious priest. Secondly, it was to use his towering intellect to be a prolific writer of seminal books on Scripture and theology.
In fact, one of Saint Thomas’ writing was on the Our Father in which he said, “…the Lord’s prayer contains all that we ought to desire and all that we ought to avoid.” He goes onto say, that in the beginning of the prayer we seek the Glory of God and eternal life, when we say, “thy Kingdom come.”
And, next, “…. we seek to do the will of God and His justice, when we pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
Offerings of Love
In today’s readings Saint Paul also reminds us of the fact that what God values most is our imitation of Jesus--- in giving our lives to Him. Now, at the same time, God has given each of us free will. He doesn’t compel us to listen or to act. So, when we offer our lives to God in the big and small ways--it is in love and faith in God’s plan for us--and not just for us but all those whose lives we influence.
Whether doing God’s will involves making a lifelong commitment in marriage and caring for our families or religious or consecrated life or the priesthood, whether it involves being a religious or lay missionary, whether it simply involves going into the next room in your home or workplace or school and helping someone…in each of these actions, we are called to listen for and do God’s will--- here on earth as it is done in heaven.
Bringing Jesus to a World in Need
In today’s Gospel, Jesus reminds us that being a part of His family is directly connected to doing God the Father's will.
Another co-worker shared with me that praying “thy will be done” is a personal part of the prayer for them…. seeking to bring Jesus to others in a broken world…and whenever I have questions, I imagine Jesus pointing to his heart.”
Psalm 40, which we have just prayed, is a great reminder of this, one that we can say each morning and throughout the day: “Here I am, Lord, I come to do your will.”
May God bless you and your families this holy day as we continue to seek to do the will of God.
- Father David's inspirational homily was recorded live during Mass at the Father Peyton Center this morning. You can view the Mass (and the Rosary at the 30-minute mark) on the Family Rosary YouTube page.
- To join the Rosary and Mass Livestream, visit the Family Rosary YouTube or Facebook page at 11:30 a.m. Eastern, Monday – Friday. Consider inviting others to join too! (*If you are not a member of Facebook and a signup window appears, simply select the X at the top of the pop-up message and continue to the livestream.)
