Continuing my reflection on the Lord's Prayer, I invite you to consider the word "Father."
Jesus called God "Father." In actuality, the word he used to name God was "Abba," which means "daddy," more intimate endearment than "father."
What are some characteristics of a "daddy"? A daddy loves his kids and will do what he needs to do to make sure that they are safe, healthy, and happy. A daddy plays with his children, rolling around on the floor with them, carrying them on his back, tossing a ball back and forth, and splashing them with water on hot summer days. A daddy comforts his kids when they are hurt or sad, cradling them in his arms, drying their tears, and listening to their cares. A daddy carries his kids to bed, tucking them in for a cozy night's sleep. While a daddy shows his love through play, comfort, and tender care, he also shows his love through his guidance. A daddy can be strict, setting limits to keep his kids safe and healthy. A daddy offers advice and direction as his kids get older and begin to make their own decisions.
I believe God is a very good daddy. Unfortunately, not all fathers are daddies. Some people may struggle with the image of God as a father. They may not have had good relationships with their own fathers, which in turn sours their consideration of God as Father. Thankfully, God is more than a daddy. I would bet that most people envision God in human terms and form, but God is not human. God is neither male nor female.God is not a "thing." God is really beyond human comprehension, not bound by space or time.
"Before we make our own this first exclamation of the Lord's Prayer, we must humbly cleanse our hearts of certain false images drawn from this world...The purification of our hearts has to do with paternal or maternal images, stemming from our personal and cultural history, and influencing our relationship with God. God transcends the categories of the created world. To impose our own ideas in this area upon him would be to fabricate idols to adore or pull down" (Catechism of the Catholic Churcn, no. 2779).
Take some time to reflect on these questions:
- What is your image of God? How do you envision God?
- In what ways have you experienced God's presence in your life?
- What struggles do you have with the images of and language used to refer to God in our world?
