In the seventh catechesis on the Lord's Prayer Pope Francis said: "The first step of every Christian prayer is to enter into a mystery, that of the fatherhood of God. To understand the extent to which God is our Father, we think of the figures of our parents. At some point, however, we must always 'refine' them, 'purify' them,". Br JAKUB WASZKOWIAK, ofm Professor "When we use this word, "Father," unintentionally our thoughts turn to our father of our home, our natural father. We do this unconsciously." "That is why - the Pontiff explained - when we speak of God as 'Father,' while we think of the image of our parents, especially if they loved us, at the same time we must go beyond that. Because God's love is that of the Father "Who art in heaven," according to the expression Jesus invites us to use: the total love that we experience in this life, even if imperfectly." Br JAKUB WASZKOWIAK, ofm Professor "So it is true that we find it difficult to fully understand what Heavenly Father means. What is the main difference from earthly parents? In the fact that our natural parents are not perfect, they all have flaws, while our Heavenly Father is perfect, he does not make mistakes." The Pope also speaks of when we love in a fragile way, quoting a passage from chapter 6 of the book of the prophet Hosea that says, "Your love is like the morning cloud that soon fades." Br JAKUB WASZKOWIAK, ofm Professor "When we talk about the imperfection of love we have to accept these two positions, these two realities: I am imperfect, but I want to change my life with the help of God, love cannot be understood only as a feeling, as something that is always pleasant, no. I understand love as a behavior that helps others to obtain Salvation." At the end of the catechesis the Pope says: "The expression 'in heaven' does not express distance, but a radical difference of love, another dimension of love: an untiring love, a love that will remain forever and, moreover, that is always at hand. It is enough to say 'Our Father who art in heaven' and that love comes." Read More