Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 520 – Part III.

YOUCAT Question n. 520 - Part III. What does it mean to say, “Thy kingdom come”?

(Youcat answer repeated) When we pray, “Thy kingdom come”, we call for Christ to come again, as he promised, and for God’s reign, which has already begun here on earth, to prevail definitively.   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2817) This petition is "Marana tha," the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: "Come, Lord Jesus." Even if it had not been prescribed to pray for the coming of the kingdom, we would willingly have brought forth this speech, eager to embrace our hope. In indignation the souls of the martyrs under the altar cry out to the Lord: "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell upon the earth?" For their retribution is ordained for the end of the world. Indeed as soon as possible, Lord, may your kingdom come! (Tertullian, De orat. 5: PL 1, 1159A; cf. Heb 4:11; Rev 6:9; 22:20). 

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) François Fénelon says, “To will everything that God wills, and to will it always, in all circumstances and without reservations: that is the kingdom of God which is entirely within.”

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2818) In the Lord's Prayer, "thy kingdom come" refers primarily to the final coming of the reign of God through Christ's return (Cf. Titus 2:13). But, far from distracting the Church from her mission in this present world, this desire commits her to it all the more strongly. Since Pentecost, the coming of that Reign is the work of the Spirit of the Lord who "complete[s] his work on earth and brings us the fullness of grace" (Roman Missal, Eucharistic Prayer IV, 118). 

(This question: What does it mean to say, “Thy kingdom come”? is continued)