On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Restoring God's Vision of Race and Discipleship
On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Restoring God's Vision of Race and Discipleship
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Encounter an authentically Catholic perspective on God’s vision for the universal Church to be united “on earth as it is in heaven.”
From Fr. Josh Johnson, co-author of the popular Pocket Guide to the Sacrament of Reconciliation, author of Broken and Blessed, and host of the weekly podcast “Ask Fr. Josh,” comes On Earth as It Is in Heaven: Restoring God’s Vision for Race and Discipleship.
This book follows Fr. Josh’s journey of serving as the only Black priest in the diocese of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Fr. Josh draws from the riches of Scripture, personal experience as a Catholic of color, his priestly ministry, and the wisdom of the Church to encourage Catholics to understand more deeply the call of Christ to make disciples of “all peoples and nations (Matt. 28:19).”
With the help of On Earth as it is in Heaven, Catholics can work towards bringing the kingdom of Heaven to earth by reaching out to people of all backgrounds.
Through this book, readers will
- Learn more about bringing unity to the Church by living as the communion of saints on Earth
- Read practical tips for encouraging discipleship and bringing unity into your community and parish
- Hear Fr. Josh’s story about becoming a priest and other stories from his life of ministry
“Fr. Josh Johnson speaks with love, conviction, and urgency when he calls on Catholics to ‘accompany people of all races, ethnicities and languages in discipleship.’ Jesus gave permission to the world to judge whether we are authentic when He said, ‘By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.’ Not only do ‘I’ need to be transformed by the power of the Eucharist, but ‘we’ need to be transformed together as witnesses to the world. If we want to see the world change, On Earth As It Is In Heaven gives us the tools to begin this work!”
—Jeff Cavins
Creator of The Bible Timeline® Learning System
“In On Earth as It Is in Heaven, Fr. Josh Johnson has given the Church a tremendous gift. This is a beautiful, powerful, challenging book. Every Catholic in the United States (and beyond) should read it. And not just read it. Study it, pray about it, discuss it, and then ask God to help us work together to make the Church on earth a living mirror of the Church in heaven, in which people from 'every race and tribe and people and tongue' are truly one in the body of Christ (Rev 7:9, NAB).”
—Dr. Brant Pitre
Author of Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist
“On Earth As It Is In Heaven … provides tools that can help all people ‘join together at the Eucharistic table.’”
—Valerie E. Washington
Executive Director of The National Black Catholic Congress
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For fifty years I have been a member of a parish in Southern Maryland with a large percentage of Black parishioners. Over that time the percentage has decreased. I recently asked a Black woman in her 90's why? Her answer: the way the Mass is offered it is too "quiet" for them. When our current church was built about 20 years ago two statues were planned for the front: one of Mary and one of Joseph. A Black woman asked for a statue of a Black saint. One of her children left the church to be a minister in a Black church; another was performing liturgical dance in a Black Church. After much discussion the pastor relented and ordered a statue of St. Francis Xavier and St. Martin de Porres. When the statues were delivered they were all the same shade of light brown wood. Most parishioners to this day are not aware there is a Black statue in the church. When another pastor arrived and this was pointed out, he said it would be painted black, but not till Martin de Porres feast day which was about 6 months away. That was seven years ago, but no action has occurred. This book by Father Josh Johnson offers ways of dealing with situations like this in a positive, non-hostile, but determined way. He offers ways of prayer, sensitivity, and dialog to make a strong sense of community. One long-term Black parishioner had the habit of leaving church as soon as Mass was over. When I asked why she said: "They never see you." Fr. Josh Johnson's strategies can deal with this.