12-28-2006, 05:58 AM
<b>May the love of God the Father, the Grace of His only begotten Son, & the indwelling of the Holy Spirit be with you.</b>
Wael, Pope Benedict XVI is the successor of St Peter the Apostle. He is the vicar of Christ on earth. The pope, along with all priests & bishops are given the title "father" because they care & provide for their flock. Holy Mother Church is the title given to Christ's Bride (the One Holy Catholic & Apostolic Church), who nurtures her children.
St Paul referred to himself as "father" several times in his letters:
<i>"I am not writing this to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children. Indeed, in Christ Jesus I became your father through the gospel" (1 Cor. 4:14-15). </i>
<i>"To Titus my beloved son, according to the common faith, grace and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Savior" (Tit. 1:4).</i>
<i>"…for you know how, like a father with his children, we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you" (1 Thes. 2:11).</i>
<i>"I am appealing to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I have become during my imprisonment" (Phile. 1:10). </i>
<i>"To Timothy, his beloved son in faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Lord" (1 Tim. 1:2).</i>
<i>"To Titus my beloved son, according to the common faith, grace and peace from God the Father, and from Christ Jesus our Savior" (Tit. 1:4).</i>
"Holy" comes from he Hebrew word "Kadosh" simply meaning "set apart" or "sanctified".
<b>Peace!</b>
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