Like yesterday, let's look to the Lord's Prayer. Those first three petitions of "Hallowed be Thy name", "Thy kingdom come", and "Thy will be done". But first, let's look at what they mean to Our Heavenly Father, since these are addressed to Him.

"On earth as it is in Heaven." It seems odd to start here, but we must. The first three petitions come before this and this applies to them. Who keeps God's name hallowed, or holy, in Heaven? Indeed, other than God Himself, it would be the angels and saints. Would anyone in Heaven treat God's name any other way? So then, for this to be happening "on earth as it is in Heaven", it would be up to us.

Staying with the first petition, what is God's name that we are to keep holy? Father! That is how we start the prayer. Not addressing God as God, Creator or any other proper title, but "Our Father". We fulfill this petition two ways. By recognizing and calling The Father, Our Father. And also by recognizing and calling ourselves, His children.

And what about "Thy kingdom come"? Well, a king, like a father, has rules to follow. So to live out this petition, we need to follow the rules given to us by Our Father. And what are these rules? They are the rules given to us by the Church. The Church is our Mother and when Dad is not present, we listen to Mom. If we do not, Dad will take issue with us, since He left Mom in charge.

And "Thy will be done", are we supposed to do what Our Father asks? Yes! He is an all-knowing and all-loving Father, so He knows what is best for us. "What father among you would hand his son a snake when he asks for a fish? ... If you then, who are wicked, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the Father in heaven give the holy Spirit to those who ask him?" - [Luke 11:11,13] Jesus lived this fully as He prayed in the garden, "My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet, not as I will, but as you will." - [Matthew 26:39]

So, these apply to Our Heavenly Father, but do they really apply to all fathers, especially our father Joseph? Of course they do, but if you need a little convincing let me remind you of how Jesus treated Joseph.

When Joseph and Mary found Jesus in the temple after three days of searching for Him, we are told that "[Jesus] went down with [Joseph and Mary] and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them; and his mother kept all these things in her heart. And Jesus advanced [in] wisdom and age and favor before God and man." - [Luke 2:51-52] So, the unblemished Lamb of God, Who was sinless, was obedient to Joseph. Meaning that Joseph never asked Jesus to do anything against the will of the Heavenly Father. WOW! If only we could do the same.

If the Heavenly Father can trust Joseph to be a perfect father to Jesus, surely Our Father can trust Joseph to be a perfect father to us as well.

Heavenly Father, we rejoice in being your children and thank you for giving us Joseph as well for our father. Help us to be good children today and everyday. Amen.