Sometime in my youth my mother told me about something I did as a baby. With pride in her voice, she related how one day I heard the crunch of tires in the driveway and the opening of the porch door. Immediately I started babbling “Da Da!” I was happy that Dad was home, and my parents felt proud and honored at my welcome.

I thought of that incident today as I reflected on Jesus’ words “Remain in me.” Jesus asks us to remain in Him just as He remains in the Father. Jesus’ relationship with his Father was one of “Abba! Abba!” or “Daddy! Daddy!” or “Da Da.”  That is my relationship to God, too. What a tender way to feel the presence of God! A kiss from a Dad whom I have missed since my last prayer time and a snuggling in the arms of a proud Parent. Like a baby, I say nothing. I am content.