In a reflection given back in 2015 emphasizing the grace of ‘family,’ Pope Francis alluded to the word “father” as particularly meaningful in the lives of Christians. As Jesus himself taught us to call God, Our Father through the Lord’s Prayer, the word “father” was given new meaning, and “manifested the blessed mystery of the intimacy of God, Father, Son and Spirit—the heart of our Christian faith.” On this weekend our country recognizes the gift of “fatherhood” within families, I share a few quotes from Pope Francis. *“Every family needs a father; a father who shares in his family’s joy and pain, hands down wisdom to his children and offers them firm guidance and love.” *“I ask that you have the grace to be very close to your children, letting them grow, but being by their side. They need you, your presence, to be there, your love.” *“Fathers have to be patient. So many times there is nothing that can be done but wait in patience, kindness, generosity, and mercy, and pray.” *“Without the grace that comes from the Father who is in heaven, fathers lose courage and abandon the field.” *“Children need to find a father waiting for them when they come home after failing. They will do everything not to admit it, not to show it, but they need it; and not to find it opens wounds in then that are difficult to heal.” Monsignor Bernie Schmitz of the Archdiocese of Denver shared thoughts on his father and fatherhood. “An image of my father that will remain with me forever was of him kneeling next to his bed at night, praying before he went to sleep. He often came home exhausted, but he always made time for prayer. . . .My dad lifted up all the concerns he had about his family (seven children). . . .My father was very aware of his foibles and leaned on my mother to help him. . . .My father taught us we couldn’t have everything we wanted because it didn’t always bring happiness. In a similar manner, as a priest, ‘Father,’ he teaches his people to discern the will of God and see how that is a better path to happiness than what our world often presents as the source of happiness. We are blessed to host three seminarians this week, as they participate in our respective Vacation Bible School programs at St. Malachy and Sacred Heart. Matthew Staley is from Denison, Zach Steffens is from Spirit Lake, and Anthony Vera is from LeMars. Each of them have different gifts and experiences they bring to their seminary formation and, in time, as ordained priests. Their respective personalities and faith journeys may provide inspiration for those in our parish who are being called—by God—to the priesthood. We welcome their presence, and pray for their calling.
Finally, on this Father’s Day weekend, may I conclude with the image of St. Joseph as the patron saint of fathers. Pope Francis pointed out the model of fatherhood passed on from generation to generation through the quiet faith and protective presence of St. Joseph alongside Mary and Jesus. St. Joseph gave us a model for ‘fatherhood,’ most succinctlythe “ability to know how to listen to God speaking to his heart.” He concluded, “I am convinced that the fatherly relationship that Joseph had with Jesus influenced his life so much that Jesus’ future preaching is filled with images and references taken precisely from paternal imagery.” A prayer for “fathers” on Father’s Day: Heavenly Father,
you entrusted your Son Jesus,
the child of Mary,
to the care of Joseph, an earthly father. Bless all fathers
as they care for their families.
Give them strength and wisdom,
tenderness and patience;
support them in the work they have to do,
protecting those who look to them,
as we look to you for love and salvation,
through Jesus Christ, our holy companion. Amen. God Bless, Fr. Tim FYI: “Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” (John Lubbock, philanthropist)