On Earth As it is in Heaven

ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN

On Thursday, September 27, 2012, the keynote speaker at the Director's Conference for Leaders was Dr. Josephine Lombardi.  She spoke about her book on the Lord's Prayer, which is called On Earth as it is in Heaven.

  

In On Earth as it is in Heaven, Lombardi develops the idea that the Lord's Prayer reveals the way to salvation or restoration: 

               God accepts our repentance; forgives our sins; calls us to forgive ourselves and 
               others; heals our shame and guilt; liberates us from thoughts and habits that 
               frustrate freedom, delivers us from oppression, addiction, and our fears; and 
               leads us to everlasting life. (18)



 Lombardi analyzes the Our Father, line by line, in each chapter of her book.  Each chapter concludes with reflective questions and a brief prayer focused on the particular phrase from the Lord's Prayer which is the subject of the chapter.

In the chapter focused on the first line of the Lord's Prayer, Our Father in heaven, Lombardi points out that the term for 'father' used in the Lord's Prayer is the Aramaic word abba, which is the equivalent of the English term 'daddy', 'dad', or 'dearest father'. (27)  According to the author, the use of this term tells us that we should approach God intimately - as children coming to her/his father.  She writes: "Jesus' reference to God as 'Father' implies a positive, life-giving relationship with the God who desires to be worshipped and understood as a loving and merciful parent...." (30)  For Lombardi, "It is a relationship that is rooted in intimacy, trust, and connectedness." (34)

Hallowed be Your Name, the 1st petition of the Lord's Prayer, is, for the author, both our acknowledgement of "the holiness of God's name" (39) and a "petition" or calling to honor God's holiness through our own holiness in life - through our actions, thoughts, and words - "...carrying out our promises to follow the commandments, our baptismal promises, and loving self, others, and God." (40)  At the end of this chapter, the author poses an excellent reflective question: "How do you live out your call to holiness?" (44)

The second petition of the Lord's prayer is found in the line Your kingdom come, which "...speaks of the arrival of God's reign." (45)  Lombardi emphasizes though that God's kingdom in this line does not refer to a place but rather "...to the divine power and authority" already in the world which transforms our sinful natures into Christ-like righteousness.  We bring about God's kingdom in our lives and communities when we allow this change to occur.  The author quotes one of her theology professors who, in way of explaining that God's kingdom only arrives when we die to our old sinful ways, said, "Your kingdom come, my kingdom go!" (46)

Your will be done is the 3rd petition.  Lombardi poses the question How do we know what God's will is?  She provides several answers:

• It is found in scripture ie. the 10 Commandments;
• It rests in our conscience; and,
• It includes "the salvation of all people". (52)  

A reflective question she includes for the third petition is What are some obstacles that prevent you from doing God's will? (56)

In clarifying the 4th petition, Give us this day our daily bread, the author notes that the Catechism of the Catholic Church defines daily bread as "...all appropriate goods and blessings, both material and spiritual". (58)  God wants to provide for our minds, bodies, and spirits. "Material blessing is a part of the greater spiritual blessing." (63)  We are also called to help supply "daily bread" for others in need.
The author askes: What has been your "time of trial"? (97)

Concerning the 5th petition, And forgive us our debts, as we have also forgiven our debtors, the author states that "The process of forgiveness brings healing to all involved." (69) Those who were wronged, learn mercy; those who were lost through sin and harming others are restored. She adds that while God's forgiveness of our sins is"assured", God also "...wants to give us understanding ...so that our learning can be complete." (75)  Understanding of the causes and harmful consequences of our sins involves "...our desire to restore what has been lost or distorted." In summary, "Healing is the fruit of forgiveness and understanding." (78)

Lombardi explores, as well, the link between forgiveness and physical health and healing:

               ...some research does show that guilt, shame, and a lack of forgiveness may
               compromise a person's health ...Forgiveness of self and others, meanwhile
               leads to improved health. (82 & 80)

The second-to-last petition, And do not bring us to the time of trial, is a reminder "...of our need for humility and surrender to God's guidance." (93)  It is pride that leads us into temptations such as addictions, which the author makes the focus of this section.  "We trick ourselves into thinking we are in control. 'I can handle this.'" (93)  The antidotes for pride are humility and acceptance of God's grace. 

The final petition of the Lord's Prayer is Rescue us from the evil one.  This petition begs the question: Who or what is the 'evil one'.  Lombardi supplies 2 related answers.  First, she points out that "The Cathechism of the Catholic Church teaches that this evil one is Satan" - an actual supernatural adversary to God. (101)  However, she cautions that blaming satan for all evil action "...takes away from human responsibility...." (103)  She elaborates by exploring in the remainder of this chapter several internal "demons" from which we need deliverance: fear, anxiety, and pride.