Hallowed

Hallowed
hal⋅lowed
in liturgical use often hal-oh-id]
–adjective
regarded as holy; venerated; sacred: Hallowed be Thy name; the hallowed saints; our hallowed political institutions.

There is only one definition here. How incredibly coincidental that it uses the “Our Father” as an example of how to use the word, “hallowed”?
The book of Revelation says, ”O Lord our God, you are worthy to receive glory and honor and power. For you have created all things; by your will they came to be and were made.” That sounds like hallowed to me.
Let’s stop for a moment and look at our society. Are there others who are hallowed? How about the leaders of the world? Some of them are hallowed. Are they worthy of our honor, and respect? Sure they are. How about the inventors, the scientists, the builders? Where would we be without them? How about the actors and the musicians and the sports stars? Are they hallowed as well? You know, as well as I that they are, and sometimes to a degree that is well beyond the hallowing given to God. Where exactly should we draw the line or set up some level of honoring God to the degree he deserves?
God always has the answer. This time is no different. In the Ten Commandments he answers this one with the first commandment. I am the Lord thy God, you shall not have strange gods before me. Ex.20:2 So then His answer is clear. All people can and should be revered. But none should be revered before, or ahead, or more than He, ever!
Here are some things we might ask ourselves.
• Am I putting any activity that I hold so dear, ahead of my God?
• Am I idolizing movie stars and sports teams and players?
• Am I hallowing the leaders of the world and forgetting about the creator of the world?
• Do I seek the advice of the fashion designers before I seek the advice of the designer of all creation?
Perhaps it’s time to rethink where we place honor and glory and power. Perhaps we have forgotten to focus on who is really important. Perhaps we should once more say, “Hallowed be thy name!”