Gospel of Matthew 9/36-10

The observance of Father’s day as a national celebration began on the third Sunday in June, 1922. A Spokane, Washington, woman had heard a sermon in church on mother’s day in 1919 praising the virtues of motherhood. Her thoughts naturally wandered to the Father who singlehandedly raised her and her five brothers after the death of her mother. She quickly approached the minister with the idea of a special day to honor fathers and with the zealous support of the mayor, the third Sunday in June was set aside as Father’s Day.

There are fathers and fathers. We recognize that a priest is a spiritual father because of the spiritual and moral qualities he brings to the family of the church. Hence, today’s tribute to fatherhood will emphasize these kinds of qualities that make fathers special.

A. What a father is spiritually, and morally, is far more important to a wife and children than what he does because what a father is determines what he does. Attitudes determine actions. A good father will have to resolve many tensions and trials in the home in order to pave the way for good relationships. A father’s spiritual and moral character goes a long way in supporting his family in good times, and in bad.

B. The greatest contribution a father can make to his family is, perhaps, his love of God. He must be willing to communicate this love by caring for his wife and his children. A recent study conducted by Cornell University found that the average American father spends only 37.7 seconds a day with his children. Spending time with the wife and children tells them that you feel they are more important than your job or anything else in your life.

C. The effectiveness of a father like that of a mother depends ultimately on the grace of God. God gives the power to be a successful father because the qualities a good father passes on to a child are primarily spiritual and moral. To affirm a child and build up his or her self-esteem; to overlook the inexperience of childhood; to forgive; to respect freedom; to keep on living without giving in to anger or retaliation; to guide and discipline by example; these are qualities of a strong effective father who is fashioned in the image of God.

Let us pray for all fathers today.

Fr. Hugh Duffy