abba's children
"Be compassionate, as your Father is compassionate." —Luke 6:36
In this year dedicated to God the Father in preparation for the Great Jubilee, the Church emphasizes more than ever that we, God's children, must be like God our Father. We must be compassionate and merciful as is God our Father (Lk 6:36). We must be "good to the ungrateful and the wicked" as is God our Father (Lk 6:35).
God the Father graces us to become like Himself by calling us not to judge and condemn other people (Lk 6:37). "The Father Himself judges no one, but has assigned all judgment to the Son" (Jn 5:22). After we are unemployed as judges, we are free to be employed in forgiving and giving (Lk 6:37-38). God the Father constantly forgives. His Son Jesus taught us to ask Him to forgive us (see Mt 6:12) seventy times seven (Mt 18:22). We too forgive constantly in imitation of our Father and by His power. When we have unclenched our unforgiving hands and hearts, we can forgive into giving (see Mt 6:11-12). Like the father of the prodigal son, we can give robes, shoes, and rings (Lk 15:22). Like Abba, we can give a great celebration (see Lk 15:23-24) and join in the greater joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Lk 15:7).
In this year of God the Father, be more like Dad.
Prayer: Abba....
Promise: "Yours, O Lord, our God, are compassion and forgiveness! Yet we rebelled against You and paid no heed to Your command, O Lord, our God, to live by the law You gave us through Your servants, the prophets." —Dn 9:9-10
Praise: The leaders of Brian's youth group regularly organize Confession and Eucharistic adoration "parties" for their members.
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Robert L. Hagedorn, July 23, 1998
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July 27, 1998