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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

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St. Athanasius


Acts 12:24—13:5
Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8
John 12:44-50

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father's day

"The Father Who sent Me has commanded Me what to say and how to speak. Since I know that His commandment means eternal life, whatever I say is spoken just as He instructed Me." —John 12:49-50

When we say we believe in Jesus, we are believing not only in Him but also in God the Father (Jn 12:44). When we see Jesus, we see the Father (Jn 12:45; 14:9). When we hear the words of Jesus and obey Him, we are hearing and obeying the Father, for the Father has commanded Jesus "what to say and how to speak" (Jn 12:49). Jesus said: "The Father and I are One" (Jn 10:30).

Jesus became a human being to reveal our Father to us (Lk 10:22) and to show us the Father's love (Jn 15:9). Jesus, by His death and Resurrection, gave us the opportunity to have a new nature and be adopted by God the Father (see Rm 8:15). Jesus made it possible for us to be sons and daughters of God the Father. Jesus then taught us to pray "Abba" ("Father"). Jesus is the only Way for us to go home to our Father (Jn 14:6). Jesus has shown us the Father, and that is enough for us (see Jn 14:8).

Prayer:  Abba...

Promise:  "After they had fasted and prayed, they imposed hands on them and sent them off." —Acts 13:3

Praise:  From a desert hermit, St. Athanasius became bishop, patriarch, doctor, and saint. He fought heresy by teaching doctrines to the common people, spreading truth in songs passed all along the Mediterranean coast.

Reference:  (For a related teaching, order our tape Do You Believe in God the Father? on audio AV 84-1 or video V-84.)

Rescript:  †Most Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Auxiliary Bishop, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, October 31, 2011

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