Copyright © 2006 By Doug Lawrence. All Rights Reserved.
Catechism Of The Catholic Church Reprinted With Permission.
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God’s Truth From The Catechism Of The Catholic Church – cont.
2815 This petition embodies all the others. Like the six petitions that follow, it is fulfilled by the
prayer of Christ. Prayer to our Father is our prayer, if it is prayed in the name of Jesus.
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In his
priestly prayer, Jesus asks: "Holy Father, protect in your name those whom you have given me."
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II. "THY KINGDOM COME"
2816 In the New Testament, the word basileia can be translated by "kingship" (abstract noun),
"kingdom" (concrete noun) or "reign" (action noun). The Kingdom of God lies ahead of us. It is
brought near in the Word incarnate, it is proclaimed throughout the whole Gospel, and it has come
in Christ's death and Resurrection. The Kingdom of God has been coming since the Last Supper
and, in the Eucharist, it is in our midst. The kingdom will come in glory when Christ hands it over to
his Father: It may even be . . . that the Kingdom of God means Christ himself, whom we daily
desire to come, and whose coming we wish to be manifested quickly to us. For as he is our
resurrection, since in him we rise, so he can also be understood as the Kingdom of God, for in him
we shall reign.
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2817 This petition is "Marana tha," the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: "Come, Lord Jesus."
Even if it had not been prescribed to pray for the coming of the kingdom, we would willingly
have brought forth this speech, eager to embrace our hope. In indignation the souls of the
martyrs under the altar cry out to the Lord: "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long
before you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?" For their
retribution is ordained for the end of the world. Indeed as soon as possible, Lord, may your
kingdom come!
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2818 In the Lord's Prayer, "thy kingdom come" refers primarily to the final coming of the reign of
God through Christ's return.
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But, far from distracting the Church from her mission in this present
world, this desire commits her to it all the more strongly. Since Pentecost, the coming of that Reign
is the work of the Spirit of the Lord who "complete[s] his work on earth and brings us the fullness of
grace."
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2819 "The kingdom of God [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."
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The end-
time in which we live is the age of the outpouring of the Spirit. Ever since Pentecost, a decisive
battle has been joined between "the flesh" and the Spirit.
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Only a pure soul can boldly say: "Thy kingdom come." One who has heard Paul say, "Let
not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies," and has purified himself in action, thought
and word will say to God: "Thy kingdom come!"
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2820 By a discernment according to the Spirit, Christians have to distinguish between the growth
of the Reign of God and the progress of the culture and society in which they are involved. This
distinction is not a separation. Man's vocation to eternal life does not suppress, but actually
reinforces, his duty to put into action in this world the energies and means received from the
Creator to serve justice and peace.
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2821 This petition is taken up and granted in the prayer of Jesus which is present and effective in
the Eucharist; it bears its fruit in new life in keeping with the Beatitudes.
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III. "THY WILL BE DONE ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN"
2822 Our Father "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
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He "is
forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish."
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His commandment is "that you love
one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another."
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This commandment
summarizes all the others and expresses his entire will.
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