What a Privilege to Call God Our Father!

Details: Written by: Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Category: Reflections by Rev. Fr. Paul Gaa; Last Updated: 28 April 2024; Hits: 516

Thursday, June 21, 2018

TODAY'S REFLECTION - THURSDAY- 11TH WEEK IN ORDINARY TIME
St. Aloysius Gonzaga, religious, Confessor
Sirach 48:1-14/ Psalm 96:1-7/ Matthew 6:7-15

WHAT A PRIVILEGE TO CALL GOD OUR FATHER!
Beloved, today, Holy Mother Church celebrates the memorial of St. Aloysius. He was born of a princely family. He was expected to become a great statesman and a soldier. His motto was, "I was born for greater things". Later, he decided to resign his title as the eldest son in favour of his younger brother and became a religious, though his father opposed his consent. He said, "I am a twisted piece of iron and have entered religion to be straightened up". He died at a youthful age.

In our today's first reading, the earthly life of the prophet Elijah came to an end and he is being eulogised as a great man of God. Many of us are familiar with beautiful tributes, sometimes, put in a poetic form. The prophet Elijah actually co- operated with God and did his part, even though it was not easy for him. We all need faith, courage, zeal, endurance, commitment and the inspiration of the Holy Spirit in our various places of work, despite all the challenges. If we endure to the end, God our Father, shall surely reward us, regardless of what others say.

Friends, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ teaches us to call God, "Our Father", and so we dare to call Him: "Our Father" , "Abba", "Papa", "Saa", "Daddy". We need to go to God in prayer with affection, trust, hope, simplicity, confidence, etc, as true and loving children. Each word, phrase, sentence in the Lord's Prayer is pregnant with meaning.

Let us unceasingly, consciously and reverently pray this prayer for God's name to be held holy, His kingdom come and His Will be done. May we get our daily bread, forgive others and also receive forgiveness, resist temptation and be saved from every evil. Let us pray for the grace to live lives pleasing to God. We should also learn to pray for God's will to be done in our lives and in the lives of others. BE BLESSED.

Fr. Gaa (0206854323/0240308878) This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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