God Our Father

Who is God the Father? “I believe in one God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible.” Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness…”

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. (Genesis 1:1) But God made earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. (Jeremiah 10:12) For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded and it stood firm. (Psalm 19:1) The Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being. (Genesis 2:7) For in him we live and move and have our being. (Acts 17:28) For you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being. (Revelations 4:11) For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen. (Romans 11:36)

In his hands are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. (Psalm 95:4)

The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and the moon. (Ps. 74:16)

Who is God the Father in the Trinity?

This is an icon painted by Andrei Rublev around It depicts the three angels who visited Abraham at the Oak of Mamre - but is often interpreted as an icon of the Trinity. What does this icon tell us about God and the Trinity?

Look at the three faces. They are identical. And all three angels are equal in size. It is a visual expression of what the Trinity means, what is the nature of God, and how we approach him. From left to right, we see the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. All three have staffs in their hands. These are symbols of their divine power… …but also as an aid in a journey. Our journey. And these three persons enter into our journey, across the face of the earth. The traveler God sits down at our ordinary tables and spreads them with a hint of heaven. Their feet are tired from traveling. God is with us in the weariness of our human road.

The figures can be enclosed in a circle. This represents the unity of the Holy Trinity, … The three are in fact one. The circle is not closed off, but remains open – an invitation to us.

What does God the Father look like?

Being in the image of God means we possess the dignity of a person, who is not just something, but someone. We, therefore, are capable of self-knowledge, of self- possession, of freely giving ourselves and entering into communion with other persons. And we are called by grace to a covenant with our Creator, to offer him a response of faith and love.

Where is God? All around us In us In our actions, through the actions of others In nature All around us.

In us. In all things living.

In our actions. Through the actions of others.

How do we pray? Jesus taught us how to pray to the Father. Let’s look at that prayer.