Reflection on the 12th Sunday of Ordinary Time and Father's Day

A young boy had just gotten his driving permit. He asked his father, who was a minister, if they could discuss his use of the car. His father said to him, "I'll make a deal with you. You bring your grades up, study the bible a little, and get your hair cut; then we'll talk about it." A month later the boy came back and again asked his father if he could use the car. His father said, "Son, I'm really proud of you. You brought your grades up, studied the bible well, but you didn't get your hair cut!" The young man waited a moment and then replied, "You know Dad, I've been thinking about that. Samson had long hair, Moses had long hair, Noah had long hair, and even Jesus had long hair." His father replied gently, "Yes son, and they walked everywhere they went."

I was looking to see if today’s readings would have any messages for those of us celebrating Father’s Day this weekend. And I think they do. Jeremiah finds himself surrounded by those who would trap and persecute him. But he trusts God. “Lord, to you have I entrusted my cause.” In the Gospel, Jesus tells us, “Fear no one. What you have heard from me, proclaim from the housetops. Do not be afraid.”

Those of us who are fathers have shared our faith with our children, perhaps not shouting from the housetops – well, maybe sometimes - but carefully planting seeds that will lead them to the Lord. We have been called to give witness to our kids to what we believe – again, not by shouting but by living. The world today tries to trap and make lifeless those seeds – and that witness. But we entrust our cause to the Lord and rely on him to make our efforts fruitful.

We call God “Father.” I know I have come across a number of people in my career who did not have a very positive or loving view of God. And that was because their own human experience of ‘father’ was harsh, painful, neglectful or abusive. Our children often get their understanding of God from their experience with their human fathers.

Most of us who are fathers will always remember the day (or days) when we held our newborn son or daughter in the hospital. When our kids were born, we probably made promises then, promises that have not always been easy to keep. There have been times when I’ve heard other people talk about their fathers and how they so deeply touched their lives. I have found myself wondering at times – will my kids say things like that about me? Father’s Day is a great time for us to renew those promises, because dads everywhere always have the power to improve. Our children have a never-ending ability to forgive and forget and to love us.

I know today many of us – when we leave the house or end a phone conversation with a family member - say “Love you.”….’’love you too.” We need to always make sure those words are never just mechanical or routine. They are words that should always be full of meaning. It certainly means a lot to me when my son or daughter says those words.

So, today we think about our fathers. To those of you who have had a blessed childhood, celebrate what you have received and learned – be grateful and tell your Dad “thanks.” If you have been wounded and scarred, there is joy in getting past the past and discovering new life, in letting go and forgiving.

Parenting is never easy; being a father – or a mother – has incredible challenges, incredible pains, and incredible joys. Like Jeremiah, we continually entrust our cause – and our children - to the Lord, taking comfort in Jesus’ words – “You are worth more than many sparrows. Be not afraid.”

If you have a brief faith reflection on today’s reading that you would like to share, please send it to me at deaconruss@holyspiritunoh.org.