Abba

I'm reading this magazine, Discipleship Journal; there's this section in the most recent issue that is a gift of God to me now -- it's called "Loved by the Trinity." There was a little sidebar in it, in the part about the Father, with an excerpt from a Brennan Manning book called 'The Rabbi's Heartbeat.' Which I haven't heard of. Anyway, I immediately thought of your post in your blog about the little girl crying for her Abba, and with this being by our Ragamuffin author, I had to share it with you...

"Abba: Jewish children used this intimate colloquial form of speech in addressing their fathers, and Jesus employed it with His foster-father Joseph. As a term for divinity, however, it was unprecedented not only in Judaism but in any of the great world religions. Joachim Jeremias wrote,

'Abba, as a way of addressing God, is ipsissima vox, an authentic original utterance of Jesus. We are confronted with something new and astounding. Herein lies the great novelty of the gospel.'

Jesus, the beloved Son, does not hoard this experience for Himself. He invites and calls us to share the same intimate and liberating relationship.

Years ago, I related a story about a priest from Detroit named Edward Farrell who vistied his uncle in Ireland on his 80th birthday. On the great day, they got up before dawn and went walking in silence along the shores of Lake Killarney and stopped to watch the sunrise. Suddenly the uncle turned and went skipping down the road. He was radiant, beaming, smiling from ear to ear. His nephew said, "Uncle Seamus, you really look happy." "I am, lad." "Want to tell me why?" His 80-year-old uncle replied, "Yes, you see, my Abba is very fond of me."

I miss you Mel, I'm sorry I missed your call this weekend!! I have a phone card and I would love to call you back, when would be a good time for you??
Have you heard anything about Capernwray? I have to tell you about something that I think God may be calling me to for the beginning of the summer. I wonder if you would be interested too. I'm not sure about it yet, and I'm still listening to God on the Capernwray front! We'll talk. Tell me when to call. I love you, I've been thinking of you every day. Had the strongest wish to just talk to Jesus together yesterday. Your Abba is very fond of you, dearest beautiful Melanie.