On Earth As It Is In Heaven

On Earth As It Is In Heaven
THY WILL BE DONE

On the eve of the American celebration of Independence, history suggests freedom was worth fighting for. But what is freedom but the use of our will?

During this time of the Holy Apostles, Fr John Brian reflects on one of the gifts handed to our time - the Lord's Prayer. More specifically the phrase we clearly state every time we join that prayer: "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

There is implicit a yearning to have God's will pre-eminent over ours. For us to join our will with His.

Fr John Brian uses John 6:38 (and surrounding scriptures) to help in clarifying the issues of wills:

"For I [Jesus] have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me."

How often do we exchange our will, our intent for God's? Do we even really want God's will in our life or anywhere on Earth? Perhaps, we want God to conform to our ideals? Do we pray for Him to give us our will right after we have asked for His will be done?

There is more freedom in follwoing God's will than following our own.

This sermon uses the English translation of the Aramaic by Lamsa. The Aramaic Bible, also called the Peshitta, was written in the original language of Jesus and his apostles.

This sermon lesson uses the readings and services appointed from the Malankara Syrian lectionary and was given on Sunday, July 3, 2011 by Fr. John Brian Paprock at Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Mission Chapel, Madison, Wisconsin.

"We have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency may be of the power of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7.

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