When Our Lord Jesus Christ started His public ministry in Galilee, He started to preach about the Kingdom of God (cf. Mark 1:14-15). As a very important element of His preaching, Jesus taught us who God really is, a merciful Father. Jesus used different parables to teach in a simple way that God is a Father who loves us, and always has mercy for each one of us regardless of what we have done (cf. Luke 15:11-32). However, Jesus did not call God, Father, in the original text, that means, in Greek. Jesus called God Abbá, which means “Dad” or “Daddy.” Therefore, Our Lord wants us to have a relationship with God as our “daddy.” This is a very familiar, close, and intimate relationship with God. God the Father or the “daddy” is not someone strange to us, but someone who is close to us and concerned for each one of us to have our necessities. God is our “daddy” who loves us very much and is always ready to help us anytime, especially when we need Him most. This idea of God as Abbá, “dad,” or “daddy” was revolutionary because the Jewish people, at Jesus’ time, did not have the concept of God as someone who is close to us.
Jesus not only taught us to be good children but also to have a good relationship with our “daddy.” Jesus also taught us to be good fathers, taking as an example God, the Father, who always loves us. All of us have a father. Some of them are great fathers, and others not so much. For those who are fathers… please, take as an example God, our Father. Love, educate, play, share time, and have fun with your children. You are the living image of God the Father. For those who are children… love, respect, enjoy, and obey your fathers. In addition, pray for your fathers. Prayer is the most important and beautiful gift that you can give to your fathers, regardless of whether they are with you or in heaven.
I would like to share some words of Pope Francis to a general audience in Saint Peter’s Square on Wednesday, March 19, 2014.
“I ask for you the grace to be ever closer to your children, allow them to grow, but be close, close! They need you, your presence, your closeness, your love. May you be for them as St Joseph was: guardians of their growth in age, wisdom and grace. May you guard them on their journey: be educators and walk with them. And by this closeness you will be true educators. Thank you for all you do for your children: thank you. Best wishes to you, and a happy fathers’ day to all fathers here, and to all fathers.”
Happy Fathers’ Day.
God bless you and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!
Fr. Jorge Ramirez
