As we draw closer to Easter and our Lord’s Passion, the thought of the Father comes to mind in reflection. When I look at Jesus, I’ve often thought outside His Passion, death and resurrection, His main mission was to talk of His Father and show Him to us.
“but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” – Romans 8:15
The Spirit comes upon us. We hear in Romans that it causes us to cry out, Abba. There are so many titles for God, and in different places, you’ll hear different titles, but the Spirit comes upon us and Paul isn’t talking about us crying out “Savior” or “Redeemer” or “You are the Holy One” or “You are the Anointed One.” No. St. Paul says to the Romans, the Spirit comes upon us and we cry out, Abba. Daddy, it’s just so personal, so intimate.
I sit here thinking of my dad. He’s been gone for 35 years now but always on my mind. He was/is my hero. He is the only man I’ve ever truly wanted to be like. He wasn’t the greatest man or the best Catholic. But, in my eyes he was awesome. Looking back, I’ve come to see that he did his best with the faith side of life. He wasn’t given the best education growing up so couldn’t pass it along later. But, he made sure we were in the Church and despite being a steelworker and working shifts, he was always at Mass with us. He didn’t realize it but my dad taught me how to pray and trust in the Father’s guidance. My dad would listen as I explained my concerns or talked about life. He seldom pushed outright but always gently nudged my thoughts to the ‘best’ path. That’s what God does so often – patiently listens and lovingly guides.
“But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God” – John 1:12
Jesus came to give us our Heavenly Dad – Abba. This is huge, epic. This fact and knowledge really changes everything. With this, we see that we are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father and God.
“No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” – Matthew 11:27
I love talking about my dad. Yea, it’s bittersweet at times. I wish I would have been able to see him with his grandchildren and that he would have been there for some of those tough days. But, I know he’s got my back still.
Just like God. He is always there for me when I need Him. At times He is silent but that doesn’t change His presence.
I am proud to be my father’s son and the son of my Heavenly Father. I love telling others about both of them any time I am given opportunity.
How do you know and talk of your Heavenly Father?