by Joseph Nangle, OFM
Pax Christi USA 2023 Teacher of Peace
Hallmark has not quite caught up with Fathers’ Day, judging from comparisons between their promotion of Mothers’ Day vs. Fathers’ Day greeting cards. The good news is that the role of fatherhood in the human experience is receiving increased attention. Fathers and father-figures are rightly becoming recognized as critical in the process of personal maturation; they are called to offer critical examples of masculine love, steadfastness and integrity. In fact, it is a serious loss when the father-figure is absent in the life of a young woman or man.
This is obvious for both sexes. Fathers are a girl’s first encounter with men and when the father has fulfilled his paternal role, they are able to discern what expectations to have in future relationships with boys and men. Likewise, boys learn how to be men of integrity under the guidance of a true father.
[One seminary director observed that candidates for the priesthood who have had less than solid relationships with their fathers inevitably display tendencies which call into question their fitness for the demands of that ministry – or any other career which demands healthy life-skills.]
So, on this Fathers’ Day, 2024, we celebrate all those men who take with utter seriousness their role as fathers and, despite their own frailties, live it to the best of their abilities. Their offspring recognize the common decency of these men (and often women who are called to take over the role of an absent father). They will ultimately forgive all of their failings. In fact it has been said that the final step in the maturing process of a daughter or son is the ability to forgive their parents. Reaching that level of maturity is a good sign that the parent has been largely successful in nurturing and educating their offspring.
For Christians this appreciation for fatherhood is informed by the startling affirmation of Jesus that God is Father: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father.” (John 20:17) While the metaphor of father is used occasionally in the Hebrew Scriptures (barely 15 times), it is not hard to imagine the enormous impact of that statement on Jesus’ listeners, whose understanding of God rested on the answer to Moses’ question, “Who shall I say sent me” [to the Pharaoh]: “Say, I AM SENT YOU.” (Exodus 3:14) That people for centuries henceforth would not speak that word, YHWH, in reference to the Divine. No wonder the leaders and self-proclaimed arbiters of Jewish religiosity considered this carpenter from the obscure village of Nazareth a blasphemer.
In contrast we Christians have become used to the name of God as Father. It is routine to the point of ordinariness for us to pray in the words Jesus gave us: “Our Father… Holy is your name.” (Matthew 6:9) Still the claim has enormous consequences for humanity beginning with a privileged insight into the One who is ultimately “Incomprehensible Mystery.”
Beginning with all that we know about the values and gifts of faithful fathers and father figures mentioned above obviously, the Fatherhood of God approximates the One who is love, steadfastness and faithfulness themselves. Fathers are called as far as humanly possible to be conscious reflections of our Father-God. Theirs is a sublime vocation which we celebrate in all of its profundity today.
This is why all fathers need prayers and encouragement as they do their best to live up to their vocation. They should be recognized, as we are doing today, for their successes as fathers – and forgiven for falling short of this incredibly high ideal – God-like fatherhood.
It is probably unwise to end this meditation on a negative note. However, it must be said that fathers who have not lived up to this high calling should recognize their sin and in some way repent. This is especially true of Catholic clergy, called “Father,” too many of whom have violated its meaning before the People of God.
Joe Nangle OFM is a Pax Christi USA Ambassador of Peace and the 2023 Pax Christi USA Teacher of Peace. As a member of the Assisi Community in Washington, D.C., he is dedicated to simple living and social change. Joe also serves as the Pastoral Associate for the Latino community at Our Lady Queen of Peace, Arlington, Virginia.
Good words about the dignity of Fathers, Fr Joe. The father is a protector and because this is true he must protect his children from the Armed Services and the fields of death and destruction. He must carry the truth that violence must end and it is up to each family to teach and support this fact. This act of objection, if carried out by fathers who are true patriots and protectors is put into action there will be too few military to implement the plans of our Leaders who have seemed to have missed the meaning of protective fatherhood. As our Nation gets closer to War on many fronts it is critical to listen to one’s conscience for justice and peace.