WHAT IS GOING ON IN HEAVEN?

SEVENTEENTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME. YEAR C.
(First reading: Genesis 18:20-32) (Second reading: Colossians 2:12-14)
(Gospel: Luke 11:1-13)
July 29, 2007.

WHAT IS GOING ON IN HEAVEN?

We must know for sure what the kingdom of God is all about if we are to ask God: "Your kingdom come". We must also know what is going on in heaven if we are to ask God: "Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

If someone does not know what is going on in heaven, how could he ask God that his kingdom come and his will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

In the "Our Father" we ask God: "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven". So, what is going on in heaven that we want to replicate it on earth? Do we truly want the events of the world to conform with the events of heaven? Are we sincere when we ask that the life on earth be just as the life in heaven is?

What is going on in heaven is the will of God. And, What is the will of God? His will is: Peace, compassion, unity, mutual respect, justice, equality.

Now, Is that what we truly want on earth?
We can say unequivocally that the global tyrants and oppressors of the world do not want that at all; it goes against their own interests, it attacks their very existence on earth.

It is impossible for those who initiate wars of aggression (or any war), for those who deprive other human beings of their means of subsistence, for those who destroy other human beings to honestly say "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven".

Only those who strive after peace, justice, equality, unity, compassion, mutual respect can say "Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven" because they know what is going on in heaven and want it to be the case on earth.