In today's first reading from Romans 8, St. Paul talks about our relationship with God the Father. We cry, "Abba, Father!" This "Abba" might be consistent with "Daddy!" that a child could cry out in excitement of seeing their father.
There's also a phrase that might seem odd to us. St. Paul says that "you received a spirit of adoption, through which we cry, 'Abba, Father!'" This tells us that we are God's adopted sons and daughters. Some may consider this something of a downgrade from being a biological child. But a bit of context reveals just the opposite.
In ancient Roman culture, a family could disown one of their own biological children - cut them out of their lives or inheritance. But this could not be done with an adopted child. They were bound by this adoption for life. Thus, as God's adopted sons and daughters, he will never disown us. We are bound to him forever.
Father, we thank you for the spirit of adoption, making us your children forever. Amen.
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