I have an adult son who looks like me, has my height, build, and a similar personality. We are both involved in the same ministry. Three times in the last few months I've had the delightful experience of being mistaken for my son by people who know him better than me. As a father, I rejoice that my children carry my image.

Jesus "is the Reflection of the Father's glory, the exact Representation of the Father's being" (Heb 1:3). Jesus so conformed Himself to His Father's will that to see Jesus was to see the Father (Jn 14:9). Likewise, we humans are made in the image of our Father (Gn 1:27). In Baptism, we received "a spirit of adoption through which we cry out, 'Abba!' (that is 'Father')" (Rm 8:15). "We are God's children now" (1 Jn 3:2). Like Jesus, we strive to conform our wills to the Father's will. As Jesus prayed, we pray constantly to our Father: "Not my will but Yours be done" (Lk 22:42; Mt 6:10).

My son has grown to maturity, and looks like his father now. We also can grow and mature so that we "look like" and reflect our heavenly Father. Jesus said: "My command to you is this: love your enemies, pray for your persecutors. This will prove that you are" children "of your heavenly Father" (Mt 5:44-45).

Children of God, let us love our enemies, surrender ourselves to our Father's will, and thereby reflect our Father's glory. May we, His children, always give our Father cause to rejoice over us (Zep 3:17).

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 12, 2004

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