Scripture & Creation
Matthew 6: 9-10
Our Father: Doing God's Will in the World
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus teaches the disciples how to pray. He begins, “Our Father....” Immediately this prayer is radical and startling. Nowhere in the Old Testament did any prophet ever dare to call God “Father.” For the Jews God was entirely transcendent and remote. Jesus makes God immanent and near. He also makes each person a child of God.
He continues, “Which [alt. Who] art in heaven, hallowed by thy name." This is hallowed down here on earth as well as in heaven. Following this statement, in the next phrase, Jesus gives us spiritual direction. We are to pray that God’s kingdom come, and God's “will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” St. John Chrysostom comments on this verse and writes that this is a command which moves the ways heaven into our behavior on earth.
For you must long, says the Lord, for heaven. However, even before heaven, He bids us to make the earth a heaven and do and say all things, even while we are continuing in it.... For there is nothing to hinder our reaching the perfection of the powers above, because we inhabit the earth; but it is possible even while abiding here in the world, to do all, as though already on high.... Do you see how... He has enjoined each of us to take on the care of the whole world. For He did not say, “Thy will be done,” in me, or in us, but everywhere on the earth; so that error may be destroyed, and truth implanted, and all wickedness cast out, and virtue return, and no difference in this respect be henceforth between heaven and earth
The ecological meaning here is strong and clear. We are called to build a life of godliness and integrity upon the earth based upon the ways of heaven. This presumes that we will live on earth with a striving to make it "as it is in heaven." This opens up fruitful reflections for it leads to the invocation of the goodness of heaven upon the ways of the earth. This has the effect of “lifting up the world,” of transfiguring the whole planet, here and now. This prayer becomes a cultural imperative to connect Christ and the Church to all earthly concerns. This includes food, clothing, employment, travel, the home, our property and possessions, and all the cares and attitudes that occupy daily affairs. Every aspect of livelihood is touched by this prayer.
This transfiguring action allows the next action in this prayer to become accessible. If we are faithful in seeking His will and bringing the ways of heaven down into the earth, then our “daily bread” comes. We receive what we need. Notice that Jesus uses the word “bread.” He does not promise steak with mushrooms. This is because the kingdom of heaven is blessed sufficiency and adequacy. It does not imply luxury nor excess.
