Father’s Day

   “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.” (Matt 6: 9)

   Today is Father’s Day.  A day to recognize fathers everywhere, thanking them for their love and efforts in parenting us.  Many sacrificed greatly for our well-being, teaching us and guiding along our way.  Some did a better job than others, but all were doing God’s work.  They were part of His plan, participating in His power of creation.  They deserve our prayers and thanksgiving for these reasons if for no other.

   How many of us took the time to thank the priests we call Father?  Those men who have given their life to the service of God, foregoing natural fatherhood, striving to lead God’s people to know the one true Father.  They lead a sometimes very lonely life and difficult life.  They are to be, in effect, our fathers in faith, guiding us and teaching us the ways of the Lord.  As with all fathers there are some who fail, but the vast majority remain faithful to their vows, dedicating their life to God’s will, leading many souls to heaven.  They too, deserve our prayers and thanksgiving.

   Did you wish the One True God a happy Father’s Day?  He is truly our Father, the one who created us, the one who loves us no matter our faults.  He is the one whose love is so great that He sent His only Son to die for us that we might spend eternity with Him.  He is the one who forgives our sins and puts them as far away as the east is from the west.  God is the Father without whom nothing and no one can exist.

   Let us praise and thank our natural fathers.  Let us praise and thank the priests, our spiritual fathers.  But most of all let us give all praise and thanksgiving to our Eternal Father in heaven.

Father, we thank You for our life.

We thank You for Your many blessings.

We long to serve and please You.

You are our Eternal Father.

Amen