“To live is to be slowly born.”


Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Sunflower Seeds

Celebrating Everyday Spirituality

Holy is God’s Name

Today’s Gospel reading from Matthew takes us back to the basics of prayer as Jesus teaches His followers the “Our Father.”  This is certainly not new to any of us, and yet I find myself wondering how much I really think about the words I pray.  The line that jumps out for me today is “May your name be held holy.”  What does it look like to hold someone’s name as holy?  I picture holding something very precious and sacred, cradling it in the palm of myhand, and guarding it with my life.  It certainly has my undivided attention. 

I also wonder how Mary must have prayed to the Father, the Father of her Son Jesus, who has given her life and placed the life of Jesus within her?  Certainly, she knows a unique intimacy with God. I could envy her relationship with the Father, but then I recall that God has also given me life and I have the privilege of daily receiving the life of Jesus in Eucharist.

Perhaps we relate to God under the title “Father” or perhaps we have another name for God.  The important piece is the depth of our relationship of  love and that we daily call God by name.

What is your favorite name/title for God?

2 Responses

  1. Sr. Marilyn Marie has been captured by the holiness of God’s name in the “Our Father.” I’ve had a similar experience this week, but with another dear and familiar prayer: the Glory Be. I’ve been at St. Meinrad Archabbey in Indiana this week at a prayerful art and spirituality workshop where we were invited to join the monks in prayer throughout the day at the various Hours. The other day I realized we prayed the Glory Be, with a profound bow, no less than six times — at least! — in each Hour of prayer. What an invitation to reflect on the holiness of God’s name often during the prayer periods! I found myself pondering when I could do this throughout the busy-ness of any single day so as to live this praise of God more fully.

    1. Thank you for sharing this reflection, Sr. Susan Maria. Isn’t it amazing how we can tend to take something for granted until an experience makes it very real and personal for us? Praise God!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Blog Posts

What are the next best steps for any group whether the universal Church, a government meeting, a town hall, a parent-teacher gathering, a trustees meeting, or a family discussion? I have no degree in human relations or psychology, but I have observed the caterpillar. The caterpillar is unpretentious. It moves

We Sisters of Notre Dame will soon be meeting in Columbus in person or via zoom. As I wonder what will happen there, I imagine—expect—to see the influence of Pope Francis. Over the past several years we have studied Laudato Si’ and have made integrity of creation part of our

Meet Sr. Valerie

As Sisters of Notre Dame, Mary is a model for us as we seek to experience and express God’s goodness and provident care in the unfolding of each day. Join us on the journey!

Subscribe to Blog

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Loading

Upcoming Events

Weekend retreat at Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center, Pulaski, PA
October 11-13, 2024
Retreat with the Sisters of Loretto, Nerinx, KY
September 8-13, 2024
Retreat at Lial Renewal Center, Whitehouse, OH
August 11-18, 2024
Retreat at Heartland Center for Spirituality, Great Bend, KS
April 14-19, 2024
First Friday Club in Youngstown, Ohio
April 4, 2024