He said to them, "When you pray, say: Father, hallowed be thy name." (Lk. 11:2)
This is the Seventeenth Sunday in Ordinary Time. The disciples were moved at the sight of Jesus at prayer. There was something going on there that they wanted. Jesus teaches us to call God our Father. The experience of the Father's love was the primary motivation in His life. He teaches us that if we do not become like children, we will not enter the Kingdom of God.
Children have trust in their parents. They take risks when they know a strong paternal hand is there to support them. In a world that abounds with reasons to fear on a human level, Jesus teaches us to abandon ourselves to the Father's loving providence. As long as we do not let go of his hand, we have the certainty that no matter what challenge we face in life, we are not alone.
Questions for Reflection:
- Do I believe in God the Father?
- Does the Father's personal love for me give me strength and assurance in life's darkest moments?
- When overcome with stress and anxiety, could it be that I have simply let go of the Father's hand?
