The artist creates a truly apocalyptic scene, a scene where God comes forth with might and majesty. Scripture calls it glory. In Jesus Christ it will become the Sun of Justice. The light of God is irresistible. It breaks through the clouds and sheds new light on the landscape of human existence. Standing on the still dark banks of earthly condition, the three figures embody three aspects of petitions two and three. The first figure, with raised arms and outstretched hands, hails the coming of the Kingdom. The second figure prays "Thy will be done...in heaven." Its eyes are gazing into the sun, whereas the face of the third figure is turned toward the earth, "Thy will be done. ..on earth."
As pointed out in this woodcut, the Kingdom of God lies ahead of us. It is "righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17). Life in the Holy Spirit is the most important realization of the Kingdom in history. Serving justice and peace, and progress in culture and society are part of the human vocation to eternal life. Ultimately, the Kingdom of God means Jesus Christ himself "whom we daily desire to come" (Cyprian) .He teaches that the Kingdom cannot be entered by speaking empty words, but by doing the will of God who is Lord of heaven and earth: "If anyone is a worshipper of God and does his will, God listens to him" (John 9: 31) .
This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute, Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by Jim Danis was last modified Wednesday, 04/18/2001 16:58:01 EDT by Jim Danis. Please send any comments to Johann.Roten@udayton.edu.
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