Reading: Matthew 6,9
Reflection: Often people say of someone, “That person was someone you had to stand up for when their name was mentioned!” For me, there are truly people whose accomplishments, actions, or capacities I admire, and before whom I would gladly stand up, expressing my deep respect for them. However, it’s interesting what my brief internet search has yielded:
“Don’t use and tarnish Tito’s name, when you mention it, you have to stand up.”
“…and in the future, when you mention the name and deeds of Zorica Brunclik – YOU STAND UP AND BOW!”
“…and that one performance of his (Salihamidzic) is worth respect and when you mention his name, you stand up.”
“When you mention the name of Mr. Alija … you have to … stand up.”
“Yugoslavia was a country, when you mention it, you stand up.”
I see you smiling. I know what you’re thinking. On this short list, there is at least one name for each of us (if not all) that we wouldn’t dream of standing up for. On the other hand, I doubt I’d be wrong in saying that God’s name is the most exploited name in the world. There is no place, occasion, or mouth from which this name does not come out in a range of connotations that even the most imaginative mind could not devise. And now I’m looking at you because I know you know what I mean. It is clear how many terrible, disgusting, and bad words and deeds are associated with this name.
However, in the context of the Lord’s Prayer, I can’t help but feel that this text aims to put things in their proper place. So, the part that says “hallowed be thy name” actually tries to put God’s name in its proper place in the confusion of distorted values that I tried to depict above.
Therefore, I invite you today to be silent together in the presence of the Name that is above every name and to stand up at the mere mention of Him. I invite you to take the time to contemplate His holiness, and when it begins to reveal itself before our eyes, to take off our shoes, for the ground on which we stand is holy. I invite you to place this Name in your small worlds in the place that is reserved only for Him, and that no one can occupy because no one can measure up to Him. I invite you to the holiness of the moment that arises at every mention of the only Name given to us under heaven by which we are saved.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the holiness of this moment. Today we glorify Your holy name, looking at Your glory that surrounds us. Help us to understand the power and strength that Your Name has and to bring it into our lives. May Your Name be hallowed, the Name above every name. Amen.