Hallowed Be Thy Name

One

“Hallowed Be Thy Name”

Maybe the least understood part of the “Our Father” is when we say, “Hallowed be Thy Name”.

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself: what does that mean?  “Hallowed be Thy Name”? Isn’t God’s name already holy? 

And by the way, why does the Bible make such a big deal about names? Why is one of the commandments about God’s name? Why wouldn’t the Jews write, or sometimes even say, the name of God? Why does Gabriel insist that John be named John and that Jesus be named Jesus? Why does Jesus constantly talk about glorifying the Father’s name? Why is it said that the Father has bestowed on Jesus the name above all names? Why are some names written in the Book of Life?

Why do names matter so much in the Bible, and what are we praying for when we say, “Hallowed be Thy Name?”

Two

How You Get Things Done

It’s an interesting thing, but knowing people’s names is how you get things done. It’s one of the secrets to being able to get people to do what you want. People are impressed when you remember their names. Sales people always find out your name and call you by it again and again.

When a Mom is really mad at her kid and is determined to change his behavior, she will say his full name, first, middle, and last very distinctly.

When you’re trying to network, names are crucial. “I got your name from so and so. He says you’re the guy to talk to.” or “When you get there, just give them my name. They know me. They’ll take care of you.”

And the name of the Lord is also how you get things done. The Psalmist says, “I called upon the name of the Lord... I was helpless, but he saved me.” (Psalm 116:4, 6). St. Peter says, “Nor is there any other name under heaven given to us by which we are to be saved” (Acts 4:12) And Jesus says, “Whatever you ask in my name I will do.” (John 14:13).

So God’s name is a name of power. It’s how we are saved, how we are rescued, and how our prayers are granted.

And yet, when we say, “Hallowed be Your Name” we’re not actually asking for something other than God to be given through His Name. We’re asking for God Himself.

Three

God’s Glory

When we say, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” what we’re doing is praying that God be glorified. Now what does that mean?  Glory is another idea that comes up all over the Scriptures, but what does it mean for God to be glorified?

Maybe let’s take an example from food. What is the greatest gift a chef can give his customers? Well, obviously, the greatest gift a chef can give his customers is the opportunity to experience and appreciate a great meal. And when we appreciate a great meal, our appreciation naturally flows into words of praise. We spontaneously say, “Oh my gosh, this is so good! This is incredible.” And then we say to the people sitting with us, “Oh my gosh, here, you’ve got to try this!”

That’s what it means for God to be glorified, for His name to be hallowed. Because the greatest gift God can give us is the opportunity to experience and appreciate His supreme goodness.

When we experience his goodness, our appreciation naturally overflows into words of praise. We spontaneously say, “Oh, dear Lord, you are so good. You overwhelm me with your goodness. You are the best, You are absolutely the best.” And then we turn to the people around us and we say, “God is the best! Have you experienced God? Do you know Him? No! Oh my gosh, you have to try Him.” 

That is God’s glory, that’s when His name is hallowed, when we are ecstatically appreciative of Him and testify to His goodness.

Four

The Blaspheming and Reviling of God’s name

Because the world does not know God and they do not glorify Him. They do not bless and praise His name. On the contrary, God’s name is taken for granted, is used for casual cursing or full-on blasphemy. It’s hideous. And it’s everywhere. And part of the fault is ours.

St. Paul challenges the Jews of His day, “You who preach against stealing, do you steal? You who forbid adultery, do you commit adultery? You who boast of the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law?” And then Paul makes this terrible accusation, “The name of God is blasphemed by the Gentiles because of you.” (Romans 2:21-24).

The same is true of us. When we act like fake Christians, phony Catholics, outsiders start to think that our God is a fake, phony God. Then they revile Him. They mock His name. Do you understand?! It’s our fault. It’s yours and mine. 

Supreme goodness, Our Father in Heaven, is cursed at and made a mockery of like His Son was cursed at and made a mockery of on Good Friday. And it’s because we are such bad examples. Because we who say “Hallowed be Thy Name” with our lips don’t actually glorify his name with our actions. 

If we pray, “Hallowed be thy Name,” we have to mean it. If we want God to be glorified, then we have to act like it. We have to live like Christians are supposed to live if we want God Our Father to be blessed by the World.

Five

Spreading God’s Glory

As we said before, when we taste something extraordinary and exquisite, we naturally encourage other people to try it. So when we taste God’s goodness, we not only express that goodness in praise, but we instinctively want to encourage other people to try it. 

When we pray, “Hallowed be Thy Name,” it’s a wish, a hope, and an impulse that everyone on earth will know the goodness of God. As Tertullian said, “We do not say expressly ‘hallowed be thy name in us,’ for we ask that it be so in all men.”

“Hallowed be thy name.” This is the starting point for all evangelization, it’s the source of all our missionary spirit. We have to share this experience, this goodness, this supreme goodness. We want all human beings to try it, to delight in the goodness of God. So that one day, we can proclaim with the Psalmist, “Oh Lord my God, How wonderful your name in all the earth.” (Psalm 8).