For fathers of families, how can you have more quality time with your family? - Daily Reflections April 8,2014

A GODLY LESSON FOR TODAY’S FATHERS   We have always accepted that the ideal social norm is for fathers to go out to look for ways to provide for the family and for mothers to be focused on nurturing the family members. With the standard of life becoming more demanding, more and more fathers are becoming absentee fathers. If not busy with work elsewhere, they may be abroad for months or years on contract work. It is not uncommon then that fathers can be detached from their children. In turn, children of absentee fathers may grow up without any intimate, unique and personal knowledge of their fathers.        The Father of Jesus, from whom every family on earth comes from, is the one who accompanies Jesus, His Son whom He sent. During the baptism at the River Jordan, when Jesus began His three-year public life, and during the Transfiguration, when Jesus started out His final journey to His Passion, the heavenly Father made His presence strongly felt. The Gospels tell us that in each of these occasions, a theophany (manifestation of God) happened. The voice of the Father was heard as He strongly affirmed Jesus as “My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased.” In turn, Jesus entrusted Himself greatly to His Father. Now, we hear Him declare: “He has not left me alone, because I always do what is pleasing to Him.” During the Last Supper Discourse, Jesus again says, “Behold the hour is coming and has arrived when each of you will be scattered... But I am not alone, because the Father is with me” (cf John 16:31-32).        Even during His passion, Jesus would never cease to call God “Abba” or Father (cf Mark 14:36; Luke 23:34; 23:46). The Father seemed to be too quiet, not making His voice heard, but He was there.               Fathers have a very important calling in this regard. They are called to mirror the headship of the heavenly Father. A headship that is not simply a right and privilege but one that involves being a loving source of life, of providence, of guidance. A headship that means real (not virtual), tangible (not abstract), true (not delegated) presence! Fr. Domie Guzman, SSP   REFLECTION QUESTIONS: For fathers of families, how can you have more quality time with your family? For spiritual fathers of renewal groups, how do you balance your involvement and detachment on the affairs of your community and its members?   Dear Jesus, teach me and mold me to be a person after Your own heavenly Father.