Written by Rev. Richard. A. Anderson - 

We all have a father. Some fathers are strict and some are easygoing. Some fathers are attentive and some are distracted by work or other commitments. Some fathers are loving and forgiving. Some fathers have high expectations for their children, others have few expectations. This is, of course, a short list of earthly fathers.

At the same time many of us confess to having a Heavenly Father. We speak of him as creator and sustainer of all life. Like the father in Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son, we know that our Heavenly Father gives us freedom, reason and a son called Jesus. Like the father in Jesus’ parable, our Heavenly Father waits for us to return home to Him when we stray. When we return in confession he comes out to greet us, embraces us and covers us with His forgiveness and love. Our Father does this out of fatherly and divine mercy as he calls us his own without any merit or worthiness in us. Yes, he is our Father.