Yesterday as we celebrated all our dads (both biological and spiritual) for Father’s Day, my prayer had me reflecting a lot on God the Father.  The reflection in my prayer did come more from all the readings and prayers around Trinity Sunday; but, also celebrating Father’s Day added a whole other level to my prayer and reflection.  So, I wanted to share this reflection with others in case someone else finds it helpful (this is also the point of the website).
 
The first person of the Blessed Trinity is God the Father and we call Him Father for two reasons: first, the Son of God was begotten by God the Father; and, Jesus calls Him “Father.” When we say in the Creed that the Son was begotten by the Father, this does not mean that Jesus was “born” of God the Father.  What we mean by “begotten” is that the Son was  caused to beby the Father. Remember, the Trinity is eternal and outside of space and time.  Our one God in three divine persons is the first mover and the uncaused cause.  God has always been and always will be.  This is why we say that within the Trinity, God the Father begot God the Son.  Moving on to the second reason we call God Father is more obvious, Jesus himself called God His Father.  Jesus wasn’t trying to appease people or play gender games for public approval.  Jesus broke social norms all the time (eating with sinners, talking to women, working on the Sabbath, etc.).  There are many examples of Jesus going against the cultural grain and making enemies because of it (the same enemies who put Him to death on the Cross).  If Jesus wanted to call God “mother,” he could have.  Notice that He didn’t.
 
Ok, so who is God the Father? “God is love.” (1 John 4:8) St. Augustine, in my opinion, has the best explanation of the Blessed Trinity: the Father loves the Son, the Son loves the Father, and the love between them that unites them is the Holy Spirit. Simply put, the Trinity is a relationship of love.  God the Father is also the creator.  The other two persons of the Trinity work with the Father to accomplish the Fathers plan of creation and ultimately of salvation.  Jesus says a number of times that everything He has comes from the Father.  When Jesus prepares for the coming of the Holy Spirit, Jesus says the Father will send an Advocate.  Clearly, God the Father is in charge and set a plan in motion before the world was created out of love.  
 
Among the most important things to remember about God the Father is that He is our Father.  He created us (because He is the creator) and we are His beloved children.  He wants us to be happy, fully alive, and in communion with Him.  This is why He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit to redeem us and draw us back to Himself.  This work of salvation is accomplished through our own person prayer and reception of the Sacraments.  Our Father wants us to be close to Him and the rest of the Trinity.  What does that look like?
 
There is no greater model to turn to than our Blessed Mother.  Mary is the BEST example of what it looks like to be in union with God the Father.  Starting with her Immaculate Conception, where from the moment she was conceived in St. Ann’s womb, Mary said “yes” to God and His plan for her.  We see her communion with the Blessed Trinity again at the Annunciation where Mary was in union with the Father to give her “fiat” (yes), she opened her heart to conceive Jesus by the Holy Spirit, and she conceived in herself the Word made flesh.  Another example of her close union with the Father is at the Wedding in Cana.  Mary not only knew the couple was running out of wine; but, she also knew this was an opportunity for her Sons glory to be revealed for the first time.  Mary’s life of grace, trust, and generous attitude is what it looks like to be in union with God the Father.
 
What do we do now? How do we begin growing in deeper union with God the Father? Start by praying and growing in your knowledge and identity as a beloved son/daughter of God the Father. Once you know your true identity as a beloved son/daughter, then you will absolutely see God as your Father.  Also, start asking God for what you desire. Get past the superficial nonsense of wealth, pleasure, power, and honor.  None of those things bring true happiness.  Really look deep in your heart and ask yourself what you desire and then ask the Father to fill that longing in your heart.  Finally, do not be afraid to turn to the Father.  He loves us more than we can imagine and there is no sin greater than His love.  Go to Him.  Run to Him! Abide with him.