02/07/2024 0 Comments
'Thy Kingdom Come'
'Thy Kingdom Come'
# Reflections
'Thy Kingdom Come'
Reflection two - “Thy Kingdom Come”
Today I’m inviting you to reflect on the phrase “Thy Kingdom Come” – three simple words, which we’ve all said so often, yet they mean so much.
We’ll start by saying the traditional Lord’s Prayer together and then listen to some music. I am listening to “Music Come my Way” sung by the Salisbury Cathedral Choir. The words of this piece were written by George Herbert and published in 1633, with music written by Ralph Vaughan Williams in 1911.
“Come, my way, my truth, my life:
Such a way as gives us breath;
Such a truth as ends all strife,
Such a life as killeth death.
Come, my light, my feast, my strength:
Such a light as shows a feast,
Such a feast as mends in length,
Such a strength as makes his guest.
Come, my joy, my love, my heart:
Such a joy as none can move,
Such a love as none can part,
Such a heart as joys in love.”
You are invited to choose your own music and when you have listened to it, the reflection begins. Each week I’m finding a different version of the Lord’s Prayer to share with you and today it is the Lord’s Prayer from the Anglican New Zealand Prayer Book. The words are unusual but very beautiful:
“Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,
Source of all that is and that shall be,
Father and Mother of us all,
Loving God, in whom is heaven:
The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!
The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!
Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!
Your commonwealth of peace and freedom
sustain our hope and come on earth.
With the bread we need for today, feed us.
In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.
In times of temptation and testing, strengthen us.
From trials too great to endure, spare us.
From the grip of all that is evil, free us.
For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and for ever.
Amen.”
Returning to our reflection on “Thy Kingdom Come”, the word “Thy” is rarely used today, but that gives it much greater significance than “your.” “Thy” indicates the greatness of God, the creator of the universe. “Kingdom” is an interesting word which is certainly used more frequently. God’s “Kingdom” is a place where everything works together for the good of everyone in it. This means all of us working together to make “Thy Kingdom Come.” “Come” is a common word, which is elevated in this context. God has plans for his creation and by saying these three words we are asking God for his help to make this happen.
Over the next few days, why not reflect on what it would mean to you for God’s Kingdom to Come? What would it look like to you? Try to say the Lord’s Prayer as often as you can. It is simple to say and yet so profound. I pray that the words the Lord taught us will become the very foundation for your prayer life and will bring you much comfort as you feel closer to God. Believe me He is listening.
With blessings
Rev Rona
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