Saturday, January 9, 2021

Jesus as Father in the Bible and in St. Josemaria

A friend just referred me to this post of Bishop Pablo David, where he uses the explanation of a devotee of Jesus the Black Nazarene to explain a common way of referring to Jesus as "Nuestro Padre." The explanation is that Jesus is a priest and we call priests "Father." 

I've been thinking of this issue too, since many children and many Filipino Catholics call Christ "Papa Jesus". 

There are two theological sources that I know that calls Jesus "Father." 

First, the Bible itself. Since it is God the Holy Spirit himself who speaks through the biblical words, it is interesting to note that God calls the child who is born (and this can only be Jesus) "everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6. This article tries to explain Isaiah's use of the word Father in terms of Jesus' divinity. 

Second, St. Josemaria calls Jesus "Father" in this quote from his Way of the Cross

Before you start working, place a crucifix on your desk or beside the tools you work with. From time to time glance at it... When tiredness creeps in, your eyes will go towards Jesus, and you will find new strength to continue with your task.

For that crucifix is more than a picture of someone you love —parents, children, wife, sweetheart... He is everything: your Father, your Brother, your Friend, your God, the very Love of your loves. (bold and italics added) 

To explain these two sources, we have to look at the meaning of the word Father. Clearly, they are not confusing God the Father and God the Son. But they are using a broader meaning of the word "father".

St. Paul calls himself the "father" of those whom he has evangelized (1 Cor 4:15). This verse is usually used by Catholics to defend the use of the word "Father" to refer to Catholic priests. It is truly an integral part of Catholic doctrine that there are people who are "spiritual fathers". 

As in the case of St. Joseph, father is a term that is applied to someone who is the lead educator and protector; someone who engenders a person's way of life; the founder of an institution and a family