Our gospel acclamation on this 17th Sunday in Ordinary Time proclaimed by the cantor is from Romans 8:15bc: “You have received a Spirit of adoption, through which we cry, Abba, Father.”
We are all connected. We are all sons and daughters of God by our common baptism. It is by the work of the Holy Spirit working through the flowing waters over the baptized that ensures that connection. When we pray to God, we can communicate much as we would with our own Father, parent or guardian. We cry, Abba, Father! Jesus taught us how to address God by instituting the perfect prayer, “The Lord’s Prayer”, as we hear in the Luke’s Gospel 11 this weekend. What we request, we shall receive from the Father. Like a father, parent, or guardian, the Father knows what is best for us, and will grant our request in the proper time. We may not see this evident right away. This is where faith in God plays a crucial role. Like our own Father, parent or guardian, we are beckoned to trust at all times. Our heavenly Father will not fail us.