"FATHER"

Although the Gospels tell us that Jesus often went off to pray by himself, we are only given one prayer that he taught to his followers. It begins: "Our Father." Much to my surprise, my inter-linear Greek-English New Testament (my "trot" or translation crutch if you will) shows that both the Gospels of Matthew and Luke use "Pater," the Latin word for "father." Scholars like to think Jesus actually used the Hebrew word "Abba" which they translate "Dad" or "Daddy" to show that Jesus wanted us to see God as close and accessible, not some distant authority figure.

This should remind us of the words of the Hebrew prophet Jeremiah:
Am I a God nearby, says the Lord,
And not a God far off?
Who can hide in secret places
So that I cannot see them? says the Lord.
Do I not fill heaven and earth, says the Lord.

Jeremiah 23:23-24 NRSV

May we not hide, but be open to God's bold plans for us.

Lyn Pickhover, Lent, 2021

Lenten Devotions
February 22, 2021