"Pray then like this:
“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name."
- Jesus -
This entry in "The Curmudgeon's Bible" series isn't going to follow the "standard template." It will, rather, be more "contemplative." (Pun very much intended.)
Most of you have heard of "The Lord's Prayer."
You may or may not believe in Jesus. Regardless, this article is for you.
"Hallowed Be Thy Name" (source)
I hope to share a small insight into the mind of a believer.
That true believer would be me.
I have many followers online, among whom are a far smaller number of faithful readers, and a handful of greatly appreciated regular voters. Some share my faith in Jesus, others, not so much.
I believe that Jesus is in truth the infinitely mighty God who created the universe and all of us in it.
You may already believe that to be true.
If you don't, please don't stop reading. I recognize that "faith" is not like some light switch that you can flip on or off. I know that I can't force faith on you.
For the moment, please just understand: I honestly believe, at the very core of my being, that Jesus is the Creator/God. Got it?
Good, now I can explain this part of "The Lord's Prayer" to you.
Let's start with "hallowed."
"Hallowed" is a somewhat archaic English word meaning "recognized as highly respected and honored."
The prayer insists, "Hallowed be thy name."
Why would I desperately desire that the name of Jesus be recognized, highly respected, and honored?
Consider the possibility that the universe is a created thing.
If you came to believe that the universe is something someone made, what would your attitude be towards that "someone?"
I believe that the universe is an artifact.
I believe that Jesus made it. That he created it, out of nothing. The bible portrays God as literally speaking the universe into existence. This blows my mind. It fills me with admiration and awe. I find my thoughts overflowing with curiosity, with questions.
In a recent article,
I shared with delight that the universe is ten times or more larger than previously believed. How ought we to think about one who could create something of such incomprehensible magnitude and beauty?
What rational mind, when faced with the possibility of such an overwhelmingly powerful person, could ever disdain him, or minimize his worth?
"Sunrise" (source)
Jesus is worthy.
He is worthy of our worship, our praise, our admiration, and our awe. If he created everything, and I believe that he did, how could such a magnum opus not demand our respect?
Milky way over pinnacles. (source)
When I see and hear people disrespect Jesus,
I find it disturbing. I am troubled.
It's not that Jesus can't "take it." Of course he can.
If you were the creator of the universe, do you think you would be much bothered by mere mortals who didn't acknowledge or respect you? Hey, you made them. You gave them free will. Their irrational disdain is their own loss.
Nevertheless, it troubles me.
Jesus deserves better. He deserves respect and honor, the honor due an artist or an artisan who creates something of magnificent, transcendent beauty and value.
Have we lost our sense of wonder? (source)
When I pray "Hallowed be thy name,"
that is the heart-felt cry of my being.
ἁγιασθήτω - verb: aorist, passive, imperative, 3rd, singular
- to render or acknowledge, or to be venerable or hallow
Notice that the word is a passive imperative. "May your name be hallowed."
If Jesus is in reality the creator of everything, doesn't that demand our respect?
I long for the day when every living being will understand and know and acknowledge Jesus for who he is. I pine for a universe at peace and rest in the knowledge of God.
Furthermore, I expect that universe. God has promised that it will one day arrive:
"They shall not hurt or destroy
in all my holy mountain;
for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea."
- Isaiah 11:9
The universe: truly magnificent. (source)
Perhaps translators could do better than "Hallowed..."
But any adequate English translation would inevitably have to be an explanation, a multiplicity of words.
I must conclude that I feel it such a shame that the word "hallowed" has fallen into disuse. I'm saddened to observe that "hallowed" is so unfamiliar in the modern day.
This time around, I may have to side with the translators. The use of "hallowed" may be appropriately remedial. Our lack of familiarity reflects more a deficiency in our thinking, the "dumbing down" of the English speaking world, than an egregious failure of bible translators.
"God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father."
- Philippians 2:9-11
One day, all will recognize Jesus for who he is.
May that day come soon.
