YOUCAT*: When we pray for the universal accomplishment of God’s will, we pray that on earth and in our own heart it may become as it already is in heaven. [2822-2827, 2860]
This week’s Catechism Corner is inspired by my friend, Dann. Every time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we say, “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” But Dann uses it to close his emails and sometimes posts it as a comment to a status update on Facebook. So, it made me think — what does it mean?
In brief, it means that our happiness can be found when we want what God wills.
So what does God will? John 13:34 summarizes it — “I give you a new commandment: love one another. As I have loved you, so you also should love one another.” God’s will is for us to love each other, to respond to the needs of one another — to forgive, to serve and to suffer.
Now I understand why Dann uses that phrase so often.
#AdventChallenge: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” Love.
*Youth Catechism of the Catholic Church
Lisa Gomes is the director of the Office of Youth and Young Adult Ministry