CCC 2784

The free gift of adoption requires on our part continual conversion and new life. Praying to our Father should develop in us two fundamental dispositions: First, the desire to become like him: though created in his image, we are restored to his likeness by grace; and we must respond to this grace.

We must remember . . . and know that when we call God "our Father" we ought to behave as sons of God.³⁸ St. Cyprian, De Dom. orat. 11 PL 4PL — Patrologia Latina (Migne):526B. You cannot call the God of all kindness your Father if you preserve a cruel and inhuman heart; for in this case you no longer have in you the marks of the heavenly Father's kindness.³⁹ St. John Chrysostom, De orat Dom. 3: PG 51, 44PG — Patrologia Graeca (Migne). We must contemplate the beauty of the Father without ceasing and adorn our own souls accordingly.⁴⁰ St. Gregory of Nyssa, De orat. Dom. 2: PG 44, 1148PG — Patrologia Graeca (Migne)B.