What Do You Pray For?
When you see these things happening, know that the kingdom of God is near. (Luke 21:31)
As of 2019, there are 44 sovereign states in the world with a monarch as Head of state. If you were to live in one of these countries, what would you think about the “kingdom of God is near”? Pope Emeritus Benedict, in his book Jesus of Nazareth, wrote, “the Kingdom is not a thing, it is not a geographical dominion like worldly kingdoms. It is a person; it is he. On this interpretation, the term ‘Kingdom of God’ is itself a veiled Christology. By the way in which he [Origen] speaks of the Kingdom of God, Jesus leads men to realize the overwhelming fact that in him God himself is present among them, that he is God’s presence.” Yes! This Kingdom is real and it’s eternal. It is open to all who embrace God’s message and live in his spirit. It is a gift from the Father who reaches out in love to his children. Jesus has given himself to ensure our salvation and through him, we have been delivered. Mindful of this explanation, every time when we pray the Lord Prayer, we pray for courage to step away from secularism and focus on Jesus who is the only way for our salvation.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; THY KINGDOM COME [Please pause and acknowledge that Jesus must reign on the throne of our hearts and we must allow Him to lead us]; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. (The Lord’s Prayer)
Hail Mary full of grace...
Peace in Christ,
Father Vincent-Vuong Nguyen