520 THY KINGDOM COME

YOUCAT Lesson 520

YOUCAT the catechism for Catholic youth

 

520  What does it mean to say, “Thy kingdom come”?

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.  [2816-2821, 2859]

Receiving the Eucharist (Communion) at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Cross Plains, WI. …..520

Francois Fenelon 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.”  89, 91

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.”  Colossians 3:2

“For the kingdom of God…(is) righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”  Romans 14:17

“The center of (Jesus’) proclamation is the Kingdom of God, that is, God as the source and center of our lives, and he tells us: God alone is the redemption of man.  And we can see in the history of the last century that in the States where God was abolished, not only was the economy destroyed, but above all the souls.”  Pope Benedict XVI, February 5, 2006

 [2816-2821, 2859]

"THY KINGDOM COME"

2816 In the New Testament, the word basileia can be translated by "kingship" (abstract noun), "kingdom" (concrete noun) or "reign" (action noun). The Kingdom of God lies ahead of us. It is brought near in the Word incarnate, it is proclaimed throughout the whole Gospel, and it has come in Christ's death and Resurrection. The Kingdom of God has been coming since the Last Supper and, in the Eucharist, it is in our midst. The kingdom will come in glory when Christ hands it over to his Father: --Catechism of the Catholic Church, Second Edition

It may even be . . . that the Kingdom of God means Christ himself, whom we daily desire to come, and whose coming we wish to be manifested quickly to us. For as he is our resurrection, since in him we rise, so he can also be understood as the Kingdom of God, for in him we shall reign.(  St. Cyprian, De Dom. orat. 13:Patrologia Latina 4,528A.)⁸⁶ –CCC

2817 This petition is "Marana tha," the cry of the Spirit and the Bride: "Come, Lord Jesus." –CCC 

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:Patrologia Latina 1,1159A; compare Hebrews 4:11; Revelation 6:9; Rev 22:20.)⁸⁷ –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.( Compare Titus 2:13.)⁸⁸ 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.)⁸⁹ –CCC

  

2819 "The kingdom of God [is] righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit."( Romans 14:17.)⁹⁰ The end-time in which we live is the age of the outpouring of the Spirit. Ever since Pentecost, a decisive battle has been joined between "the flesh" and the Spirit.( Compare Galatians 5:16-25.)⁹¹ –CCC

  

Only a pure soul can boldly say: "Thy kingdom come." One who has heard Paul say, "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal bodies," and has purified himself in action, thought and word will say to God: "Thy kingdom come!"( St. Cyril of Jerusalm, Catech. myst. 5,13:Patrologia Graeca 33,1120A; compare Romans 6:12.)⁹² –CCC

2820 By a discernment according to the Spirit, Christians have to distinguish between the growth of the Reign of God and the progress of the culture and society in which they are involved. This distinction is not a separation. Man's vocation to eternal life does not suppress, but actually reinforces, his duty to put into action in this world the energies and means received from the Creator to serve justice and peace.( Compare Gaudium et Spes 22; 32; 39; 45; Evangelii Nuntiandi 31.)⁹³ –CCC

  

2821 This petition is taken up and granted in the prayer of Jesus which is present and effective in the Eucharist; it bears its fruit in new life in keeping with the Beatitudes.( Compare John 17:17-20; Matthew 5:13-16; Mt 6:24; Mt 7:12-13.)⁹⁴ –CCC

  

IN BRIEF

2859 By the second petition, the Church looks first to Christ's return and the final coming of the Reign of God. It also prays for the growth of the Kingdom of God in the "today" of our own lives. --CCC