3/3/2020 Lenten Luminaries
[Jesus said to his disciples:
“In praying, do not babble like the pagans,
who think that they will be heard because of their many words.
Do not be like them.
Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.“] (Mt. 6:7-8)
After Jesus told us yesterday that God is a judge as well as a shepherd, He takes it one step further in revealing Who God is. Jesus calls God Father, both His Father and ours.
As a good Father, God calls us His son or daughter. In so doing, He reminds us of our great dignity and His ineffable love for each one of us, not generically but as individuals. Also in calling us His son or daughter, God calls us to achieve our fullest potential and become the best version of ourselves.
It is one thing to listen to Jesus call God our Father, but it is another thing entirely to hear Jesus speak to our heart, “God is your Father.” Head knowledge educates, but heart knowledge changes us. According to Jesus, God knows what we need even before we ask. That’s how intimately He knows and loves each one of us as individuals. Take some time today beginning to let this reality seep into your heart.