By Jonathan Camiolo –
In the gospel this week, Jesus asks His apostles who they think He is. They have a few answers, but Peter says’ “The Christ of God.” Jesus tells the apostles not to tell anyone that fact. Peter got it right. Jesus was the Christ, the Savior and Redeemer of the world, the Son of God. It is important for us to remember this. It takes faith to believe Jesus is truly God and that we can go to Him. Peter’s insight and understanding of Jesus’ identity was a gift of faith.
But this week, there is another identity that appears in the second reading from Galatians 3. In the scriptures this week we hear about WHO WE ARE. We are the children of God. God is our Father. We are a part of His family. It reads, “Brothers and sisters: Through faith you are all children of God in Christ Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendant, heirs according to the promise.”
On this week that we celebrate Father’s Day, it is fitting that we have this reading. Our relationships with our earthly fathers may be different from person to person. We might be close to our fathers, distant or estranged, misunderstood, or may sadly have lost our father. No matter the case, this Father’s Day, we should thank God for the gift of our life and pray for our earthly fathers. We should also thank God our Father for His love and promise to always be there.
I have been touched by something I found online a few years ago, and I share it with you today. It is a love letter from God our Father to us based on the scriptures. Slowly read this letter and reflect on God our Heavenly Father.
My Child,
You may not know me,
but I know everything about you.
-Psalm 139:1
I know when you sit down and when you rise up.
-Psalm 139:2
I am familiar with all your ways.
-Psalm 139:3
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered.
-Matthew 10:29-31
For you were made in my image.
-Genesis 1:27
In me you live and move and have your being.
-Acts 17:28
For you are my offspring.
-Acts 17:28
I knew you even before you were conceived.
-Jeremiah 1:4-5
I chose you when I planned creation.
-Ephesians 1:11-12
You were not a mistake,
for all your days are written in my book.
-Psalm 139:15-16
I determined the exact time of your birth
and where you would live.
-Acts 17:26
You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
-Psalm 139:14
I knit you together in your mother’s womb.
-Psalm 139:13
And brought you forth on the day you were born.
-Psalm 71:6
I have been misrepresented
by those who don’t know me.
-John 8:41-44
I am not distant and angry,
but am the complete expression of love.
-1 John 4:16
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you.
-1 John 3:1
Simply because you are my child
and I am your Father.
-1 John 3:1
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could.
-Matthew 7:11
For I am the perfect father.
-Matthew 5:48
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand.
-James 1:17
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs.
-Matthew 6:31-33
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope.
-Jeremiah 29:11
Because I love you with an everlasting love.
-Jeremiah 31:3
My thoughts toward you are countless
as the sand on the seashore.
-Psalms 139:17-18
And I rejoice over you with singing.
-Zephaniah 3:17
I will never stop doing good to you.
-Jeremiah 32:40
For you are my treasured possession.
-Exodus 19:5
I desire to establish you
with all my heart and all my soul.
-Jeremiah 32:41
And I want to show you great and marvelous things.
-Jeremiah 33:3
If you seek me with all your heart,
you will find me.
-Deuteronomy 4:29
Delight in me and I will give you
the desires of your heart.
-Psalm 37:4
For it is I who gave you those desires.
-Philippians 2:13
I am able to do more for you
than you could possibly imagine.
-Ephesians 3:20
For I am your greatest encourager.
-2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
I am also the Father who comforts you
in all your troubles.
-2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When you are brokenhearted,
I am close to you.
-Psalm 34:18
As a shepherd carries a lamb,
I have carried you close to my heart.
-Isaiah 40:11
One day I will wipe away
every tear from your eyes.
-Revelation 21:3-4
And I’ll take away all the pain
you have suffered on this earth.
-Revelation 21:3-4
I am your Father, and I love you
even as I love my son, Jesus.
-John 17:23
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed.
-John 17:26
He is the exact representation of my being.
-Hebrews 1:3
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you.
-Romans 8:31
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins.
-2 Corinthians 5:18-19
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled.
-2 Corinthians 5:18-19
His death was the ultimate expression
of my love for you.
-1 John 4:10
I gave up everything I loved
that I might gain your love.
-Romans 8:31-32
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus,
you receive me.
-1 John 2:23
And nothing will ever separate you
from my love again.
-Romans 8:38-39
Come home and I’ll throw the biggest party
heaven has ever seen.
-Luke 15:7
I have always been Father,
and will always be Father.
-Ephesians 3:14-15
My question is…
Will you be my child?
-John 1:12-13
I am waiting for you.
-Luke 15:11-32
Love, Your Dad, Almighty God
Go to “http://www.fathersloveletter.com” www.fathersloveletter.com to find more great insights into God our Father, our Daddy in Heaven, that is the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Creator of all that is and how to start or strengthen your relationship with Him. He loves you so much!