Dear Friends,
Happy Father’s Day to all fathers and grandfathers. Coming a month after Mother’s Day, it is only natural for some to compare these two wonderful events. You may have heard the response of a child when asked to describe Father’s Day: “Father’s Day is like Mother’s Day, except the gift is cheaper.” If that is true, then it is a sad truth, because it is not easy being a dad. There are many fine Dads in our congregation, and we want to honor them today. Many fathers are role models like St. Thomas More and St. Louis Martin (the father of the Little Flower), heroes of our Faith.
Even in these days when mothers are doing so much for the family, fathers are expected to be the providers for and the protectors of the family. They are also supposed to be attuned emotionally and spiritually to their wives and children and to be able to balance careers with family life. Fathers struggle to overcome temptation and conflict. They make sacrifices day after day for their families. They try to give their youngsters the kind of model that surely they deserve above all else, a model of goodness, holiness, faith, trust in God, and fidelity to the teachings of the Church. This is what Father’s Day should remind us of. This is a time for all fathers to reflect upon their duties as responsible and well-integrated men. True fatherhood demands commitment. Commitment demands maturity, sacrifice, and love. Fatherhood also demands responsibility. Every true father will take responsibility for all of his actions. Our nation has an urgent need for good fathers.
But while the idea of fatherhood is a good one, the reality we see on earth is sometimes quite different. Some fathers abandon their children, beat them, ridicule or ignore them, abuse them, and damage them psychologically for life. Even good fathers have their limits. Unfortunately, we unduly sentimentalize fatherhood, the media often ridicule and make fun of it, and some treat it with contempt. We are reminded time after time of the number of children growing up fatherless because their fathers have abandoned them or their fathers have been unfaithful. This day is a reminder of what all fathers should be.
Yet, the very term ‘Father’ is what we use both for earthly fathers and for our heavenly Father. A favorite gift for Father’s Day is the cap emblazoned with the words “World’s Greatest Dad.” You may see more of them on the heads of proud fathers everywhere. There is one dad, however, who doesn’t always get a lot of honor on Father’s Day. That is the “World’s Greatest Dad,” OUR HEAVENLY FATHER (Rom. 8:15, Gal. 4:6).
William Wordsworth said: “Father! – to God himself we cannot give a holier name.” God is our spiritual Daddy, actively involved in all areas of our lives. It is He on Whom we lean in times of pain and hurt; it is He on Whom we call in times of need; it is He Who provides for us in all ways — practical, emotional, and spiritual. He wants us to think of Him as “Dad.” This being so, let us take this Father’s Day to honor Him, the REAL “World’s Greatest Dad.” Many of us pray the “Our Father” day after day, without paying attention to, or experiencing, the love and providence of our Heavenly Father. Let us pray the Our Father always realizing the meaning of each clause and experiencing the love of our Heavenly Father for us. May all earthly fathers draw strength from their Heavenly Father!
Your brother in Christ,
Fr. Abraham Orapankal