Youcat commented through CCC – Question n. 521 – Part I.

YOUCAT Question n. 521 - Part I. What does it mean to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”?

(Youcat answer) When we pray for the universal accomplishment of God’s will, we pray that on earth and in our own heart it may become as it already is in heaven.   

A deepening through CCC

(CCC 2857) In the Our Father, the object of the first three petitions is the glory of the Father: the sanctification of his name, the coming of the kingdom, and the fulfillment of his will. The four others present our wants to him: they ask that our lives be nourished, healed of sin, and made victorious in the struggle of good over evil.

Reflecting and meditating 

(Youcat comment) As long as we continue to set our hearts on our own plans, our will, and our ideas, earth cannot become heaven. One person wants this, the other that. We find our happiness, however, when together we want what God wills. Praying means making room bit by bit for God’s will on this earth.

(CCC Comment)

(CCC 2860) In the third petition, we ask our Father to unite our will to that of his Son, so as to fulfill his plan of salvation in the life of the world. (CCC 2822) Our Father "desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Tim 2:3-4). He "is forbearing toward you, not wishing that any should perish" (2 Pet 3:9; cf. Mt 18:14). His commandment is "that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (Jn 13:34; cf. 1 Jn 3; 4; Lk 10:25-37). This commandment summarizes all the others and expresses his entire will.

(This question: What does it mean to say, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven”? is continued)