Rethink Church: Reflection on Worship
Below is an excerpt from Rethink Church: Reflection on Worship, a collection of essays from the ministers and staff of Middle Collegiate Church.
On earth as it is in heaven. When I was a little girl memorizing the Lord’s Prayer, I struggled with phrases like “hallowed be thy name.” My brain heard “how low wet” and could not understand what that had to do with God! But, on earth as it is in heaven, I got that. Even as my notions of heaven have turned away from streets paved with gold and pearly gates, I am deeply inspired by the idea of a vision of earth to which our aspirations of heaven have come all the way down. I find this passage from John’s Revelation to sum up my hopes and dreams:
“See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:3–5
I love the vision of God living among and within human beings, comforting, healing, and making all things new. It inspires me to lean into the world as it can be, and empowers me and my congregation to actively participate in the healing of the world.