AUDIENCE: THE "FATHERHOOD" OF GOD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT

VATICAN CITY, JAN 20, 1999 (VIS) - At today's general audience held in the Paul VI Hall, the Holy Father spoke on the theme of "The 'Fatherhood' of God in the Old Testament."

The Pope said that "Israel recognized divine fatherhood from the sense of wonder in the face of creation and the gift of life."

"The respect which Israelite society demanded for parents led them to see God as a demanding father. In fact, Mosaic law is very strict with children who do not obey their parents, to the point of having the death penalty for whoever might strike or speak badly of their father or mother."

John Paul II recalled that "God, in saving Israel from slavery in Egypt, calls it to enter into a relationship of covenant with Him and even to considering itself his first born. ... Israel was obliged to observe a law which distinguished it from other peoples, to whom it should bear witness to divine fatherhood which it experienced in a special way."

"Divine fatherhood for Israel is characterized by an intense, constant and compassionate love. In spite of the infidelities of the people and the ensuing threats of punishment, God reveals himself as being able to continue to love them."

Likewise, "a fatherhood so divine and at the same time so 'human' in the way in which it is expressed, includes in itself the characteristics which are normally associated with motherly love. ... The divine attitude towards Israel is expressed with motherly gestures, which express tenderness and goodness."

In his greetings to pilgrims in different languages, the Holy Father asked for prayers to Our Lady of Guadalupe before his forthcoming trip to Mexico, "so that she might guide the steps of the new evangelization among the peoples of Hispanic language and culture."

Finally, having recalled that we are celebrating the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, he invited all "to participate with prayer and concrete commitment to the cause of full communion between believers in Christ."

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