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Thursday, March 28, 2024
HomeNewsArchivesWHAT IF GOD WAS OUR FATHER?

WHAT IF GOD WAS OUR FATHER?

At the Cathedral Church of All Saints on Sunday last, the minister the Reverend Frank N. Johnston made a statement in his sermon that needs repeating.
The well prepared sermon had some very thought provoking ideas, but the one that rested on my mind was when he said, "just imagine for a moment that everyone in St. Thomas truly believed God was their father. What an awesome place this would be."
In thinking about that part of the sermon, one concludes that it is a mind-boggling idea. I was quick to pick up on that because in my book "There Are No Mistakes, Only Lessons" most of the readers comment on the part of the book that speaks about my father and the obvious good relationship we had.
A mortal man having a relationship with his son or daughter can be a rewarding experience, but when we think of the Almighty, it can be awesome. At any stage in our development, we all try to please our father. We did those things that were expected of us, and we felt a sense of assurance that in all circumstances, our father would do the best for his children.
When I was a child, I knew my father would take care of me. He would fix the house if that were needed. He would bring home food. He took care of me if I was sick, and he hurt with me if I was hurting. How much more could I expect from a father who does all things and is more eager to give than I am to ask.
The cornerstone of our faith in the Episcopal Church, of which All Saints is a member, is – GOD IS OUR FATHER. We repeat that statement in our creed at each mass, but the question that Father Johnston must have wrestled with is, If God is our father, then why are we hurting.
Fatherhood is an awesome task, and if we were to acknowledge God as our father, the effects on this island would also be awesome. Let us try God's love in the new millennium.
Christopher E. Brathwaite is a local businessman, author and a member of the Cathedral Church of All Saints in St. Thomas.

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