I would like to continue reflecting on the Lord’s Prayer’
Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is a phrase from the Lord’s Prayer. According to a popular teaching, Jesus was saying that we should pray that the way things are in heaven is the way they should be on the earth. However, according to another interpretation, when we pray “Thy will be done,” we are expressing our willingness and submission to God’s plan and purpose. We should be looking for God’s will to be done in everything.
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven expresses the desire for God’s will to be fulfilled by all people in all places with the same obedience and joy as in heaven.
We have three singular examples:
Jesus Himself in the Garden of Gethsemane: Faced with the horror of his Passion and Death He accepts God’s will.
Mary: Let it be done to me according to your will without, I think, understanding the full implications and knowing the possible dangers.
St. Joseph: The man who raised Jesus didn’t speak a word, was a man of action who responded to God’s plan. Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; Take the child and his mother and flee to Egypt.
Perhaps St. Ignatius of Loyola’s Prayer of surrender helps.
Take, O Lord, and receive my entire liberty, my memory, my understanding and my whole will. All that I am and all that I possess, Thou hast given me: I surrender it all to Thee to be disposed of according to Thy will. Give me only Thy love and Thy grace; with these I will be rich enough and will desire nothing more. Amen.
Saint James Catholic Church 