The new age came into existence, as Christ taught His followers to call God as “Abba. Father.” None of the prophets or the leaders of God’s children dared calling God “Abba,” or taught the believers to invoke the filial relationship. One thing that astonished and disturbed the audience of Christ was His bold assertion, that He was God’s own son, and we do share the same relationship, as His dear children. The model prayer of Christ contained the invocation of the filial relationship, “So then, this is how you should pray: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.’” (Mt 6:9). The importance of the term “father” is further highlighted by His teaching in another occasion, not to be used in any other relationship other than the one that unites him or her with Heaven, “And do not call anyone on earth ‘father,’ for you have one Father, and he is in heaven” (Mt 23:9). The revelation Paul shares with us, explains that we are adopted children and are given His Spirit that gives us right to call God “Abba”: “For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Rom 8:15). Let’s rejoice and be proud when we address our dear God as “Abba.”

Abba, thank You for giving us the privilege to call you “Abba.” Let Your Spirit rejoice by invoking You, our Father, in Jesus, our dearest brother’s Holy Name, Amen.