Our Heavenly Father

Henrik Olrik (1830–1890)

For the past few days, the Gospel readings at daily Mass have been filled with Our Lord speaking of and in reference to His Heavenly Father. As Holy Week quickly approaches, the Liturgy gives us a glimpse of what may have filled Our Lord’s mind as He neared His excruciating passion and death. Doubt, fear, and terror would be normal human responses, but Jesus exhibits peace and calm. How can this be? It is because the eyes of His Heart were gazing in absolute and complete trust on His Heavenly Father. Our Lord was secure in the knowledge of His Father’s infinite love and power. He trusted that nothing would happen to Him save what His Father permitted. This trust was not disturbed by the mocking of the crowds, an increased threat from the Pharisees, or even His Divine knowledge of the horrendous pain that He would soon endure.
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It should thrill our hearts to think that we have the same loving Heavenly Father. He is filled with loving concern and wants to provide for us, but He will only do so if only we let Him. Let us pray for a share of Our Lord’s absolute trust in our Heavenly Father and ask for the peace that comes from a deep understanding of His infinite love even in the midst of trials.

Gustave_Doré-Le_Calvaire

Our Father
Who art in heaven
hallowed be Thy name
Thy Kingdom come
Thy Will be done
on earth as it is in heaven
give us this day
​our daily bread
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us
and lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil. Amen.