Hallowed.

The Lord's Prayer begins with these words:

"Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name....."  Matthew 6:9b (NRSV)

Note that it says hallowed be your name not hallowed is your name.

And because the name of a god indicates his essential nature this is an important distinction.

Too often this has been understood as hallowed - i.e. holy - is your name - i.e. your essential nature.

But this is not what it says.

It says hallowed be your name - i.e. blessed and respected be your name.

So God is not distant, sacrosanct, and separate.

God is approachable.

And the name of God is Love.


[Scripture quotations (marked NRSV) are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A., and are used by permission.  All rights reserved.]

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