Have you been hurt by your earthly father? Look up to God and let Him “father” you - Daily Reflections March 11,2014

THE SINS OF OUR FATHERS

 

I was in Pennsylvania attending a weeklong seminar. One evening, a penitential service was held. I heard the confession of a burly white American. His size intimidated me. My intimidation grew stronger when he started speaking of his deep hatred and anger towards his father and how, after 15 years, he was still bound by such rage and hatred. I just listened and allowed him to unload. I didn’t know what to tell him. By stroke of inspiration, I found myself proposing to him, “Why don’t we just be silent right now and offer everything to our Father in Heaven? Let us allow God to father us at this moment.” With a cracking voice, he said, “Father, that rang a bell within me. To allow God to be Father to me.” He suddenly wept. After some time, he said, “Don’t be fooled by my strong exterior, Father. I hate my father. But deep inside, I’m still a child longing for his father.”

       Today in the Gospel, the disciples asked Jesus how to pray. Jesus said, “When you pray say, ‘Our Father, hallowed be thy name….’” Many find this prayer difficult to say. Betrayed and wounded by their earthly fathers, I’m sure they would tell Jesus if they could, “Are You serious? I couldn’t even call my dad ‘father.’ How do You expect me to call God ‘Father’?”

       In the ‘80s there was a song that goes, “It’s the lover, not the love, who broke your heart last night. It’s the lover, not the dream, that didn’t work out right....”

       I am pained and feel sorry for the many ways the priesthood has failed to mirror the Fatherhood of God. But in the midst of the discouragement and disappointment, and the collective efforts to amend the wrongs committed, I propose that we remember this prayerfully: It is a priest that has gone wrong, not the priesthood. It is a churchman that has gone wrong, not the Church of Christ. Christ remains the measure of the Church and the priesthood. Let us keep our gaze fixed on Him. The Church has done so for over 2,000 years. It will do us well to keep doing the same. Fr. Joel Jason

 

 

REFLECTION QUESTION: Have you been hurt by your earthly father? Look up to God and let Him “father” you.

 

God our Father, help me to cling to You as my true Father.