How can we call God Father?

[scapularkid8]

Just wondering? I know Jesus called Him Father, but how do we become like Jesus so that we can call Him that? Baptism? I’m curious…

 

[guanophore]

Just wondering? I know Jesus called Him Father, but how do we become like Jesus so that we can call Him that? Baptism? I’m curious…

Through Baptism we are made members of His Body, the Church, and are transferred out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of light. Our adoption is sealed by the HS, who infuses us with santifying grace.

Gal 3:26-28
6 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

 

[Father_of_8]

When the Apostles asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, He gave them the Lord’s Prayer. “Our Father…”

 

[rpp]

In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus gives a lesson on how to pray. Here are some important excerpts.

6 But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.

7 In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words.

8 Do not be like them. **Your Father **knows what you need before you ask him.

9 "This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,

…

14 If you forgive others their transgressions, your heavenly Father will forgive you.

15 But if you do not forgive others, neither will your Father forgive your transgressions.

Matthew 6:6-9, 14-15 NAB

Seems pretty clear clear here. Jesus is describing God as “your Father”. Therefore, we can say “Our Father”, just as the Lord’s Prayer says.

 

[vern_humphrey]

Just wondering? I know Jesus called Him Father, but how do we become like Jesus so that we can call Him that? Baptism? I’m curious…

He is the author of our being. How can He** not **be our father?

 

[SeanTom]

Just wondering? I know Jesus called Him Father, but how do we become like Jesus so that we can call Him that? Baptism? I’m curious…

Also, the question arises, "Why do we call Priests “Father”?

“Father” is a title now given to all priests in English speaking countries. Since a priest is the ordinary minister of the Sacrament of Baptism, by which Christians are reborn to the supernatural life of grace, he can appropriately be called a spiritual father.

Many seem to think that Catholics, in calling their priests “father”, are violating the injunction of Christ: “Call no one on earth your father, for one is your Father, who is in heaven” (Matt. 23:9). However, from the context it is clear that this is not an absolute prohibition of the titles of Rabbi, Master, or Father (all of which are put on the same level), but is a criticism of the Pharisees, who sought these titles from a motive of pride. Even Saint Paul did not hesitate to call himself the spiritual father of his converts (1 Cor. 4:15) and spoke of Timothy and Titus as his sons. According to Eph. 3:15, all fatherhood takes its name from the universal fatherhood of God.”

Above is taken from a Catholic Encyclopedia. According to “The Jerome Biblical Commentary,” the use of the title “father” began in monasteries as a form of address to the abbot as father of the monastic family. It was then extended to other monks who served as spiritual directors, and later generally applied to the clergy. There is no date given, but since the Rule of Benedict (circa 525) already speaks of the paternal role as typical, the use of “father” probably began in the fifth century, if not earlier.

Additional comments"”:

“If we consider the context of our Lord’s remarks, we see that He was denouncing the Pharisees for requiring people to perform hard tasks while avoiding such works themselves. Instead of helping people lighten their burdens, said Jesus, the Pharisees were “fond of places of honor at banquets and the front seats in synagogues, of marks of respect in public and of being called ‘Rabbi’”. These titles were sought after since they would then be able to “lighten” their work load, so to speak. This, some believe is the reason our Lord denounced them. Remember, He was only addressing the Pharisees at this time.

“As to you,” Jesus told the crowds and His disciples, “avoid the title ‘Rabbi.’. One among you is your teacher, the rest are learners. Do not call anyone on earth your father. Only one is your father, the One in heaven. Avoid being called teachers. Only one is your teacher, the Messiah. The greatest among you will be the one who serves the rest.”

Notice in the above paragraph that Jesus also referred to “teachers”. Isn’t it strange that when some Protestants condemn us for calling our priests “father”, they only quote that portion of scripture that refers to “father”. They don’t add that Jesus also said, avoid being called “teachers”. I wonder why? I guess that’s because they called their school instructors “teachers” but never called their ministers “father”. They don’t want to condemn themselves for using the word “teachers”.

 

[Todd_Easton]

This topic is discussed at some length in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, in the section on the Lord’s prayer ‘Our Father’, especially paragraphs 2777-2785.

Yes, we become God’s adopted children in baptism and we remain his children by continual conversion and new life, by desiring to become like him, and by maintaining a humble and trusting heart.