Heaven Crashing into Earth

Today, On this “Giving Tuesday,” I invite you to please remember Dial Hope. There is a link on our Daily Email and on our website, www.dialhope.org

Also, let me say thank you to those of you who regularly support Dial Hope financially. We could not offer this ministry without you!

At one point in his ministry, the disciples ask Jesus, “Lord, teach us to pray.” Jesus responded, “When you pray, pray like this: Our Father in heaven, hallowed is your name…”

Today we call this the “Lord’s Prayer,” or the “Our Father” in the Catholic tradition. In any case, as an aspect of this prayer, Jesus teaches us to pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In essence, we’re praying for heaven to crash into earth.

Many years ago, just before Easter, some of the members of a church I was serving threw a party for inner-city children in Jacksonville at the Police Athletic League. These were some of the poorest children in our city, who live in one of the most violent neighborhoods. Let me share an email I received in response:

“Hi Joe, Just wanted you to know that the children of the Police Athletic League loved their Easter baskets! It was amazing that we had exactly 50 baskets and there were exactly 50 children! Each had an opportunity to pick a basket and each had plenty of candy and a little toy. What touched me the most was when a little guy, about 7, shared with us that he picked his basket because it had pink stationery in it. He said he wanted to give it to his mother for Easter. Another child chose a basket because it had something that she wanted to give to a friend. Here I was standing in an impoverished area, among children that were lacking so much, and I witnessed such Christ-like qualities in these little ones.”

I loved hearing that. It was a glimpse of heaven crashing into earth. In their own giving, the folks from our church got to experience other people’s joy and generosity. And, it was deeply touching.

Today as you pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done, may you think again about where you have seen it happen. And, may you find ways to be a part of it.

Let us pray: Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power and the glory forever. Amen.