Happy Father's Day to all our Fathers!

Today we celebrate Father’s Day.  We honor all of our Fathers and give thanks and praise to God for the gift they are in our lives.  Father’s Day exists almost all over the world; in fact, over 25 countries celebrate Father’s Day with us on the third Sunday of June.  We rely on our Fathers for so many things.  They are frequently a stabilizing force in our families.  They frequently work very hard to support us financially.  In fact, more collect telephone calls are made on Father’s Day than on any other day.  I guess we think our Fathers can pay the bill!  Today, we must pray for all of our Fathers.

A father figure can be very important to our children, particularly for our young boys and men.   I am particularly aware of this as I look back on my life as my father died when I was just a teen.  I was very blessed by the number of men in my life that became surrogate fathers.

Keep in mind if you are a father that you may be an important father figure not just for your own children but also for other young boys and men in your life.  If you have no children of your own, you may have surrogate children.  Be careful what you say and do.  They are watching and listening.

Men in the second half of life have the responsibility to bless and affirm our young men.  As we get older, sometimes we see younger men as a threat.  They remind us of the days when we were healthier, faster, quicker mentally and younger.  In the second half of life, it is our responsibility to mentor the next generation to take over for us, to slow down and let the younger guy do the running.  That is the natural order of things, to affirm and bless our youth and empower them to be all that God has planned for them to be.  We are relying on this younger generation to carry on when we are gone.

I have talked to men who longed to be blessed and affirmed by their fathers, but never were.  Fathers, bless and affirm your sons when you have the chance.  They are longing for your affirmation.  Men in the second half of life, bless and affirm our younger generation.  Sons, honor your fathers and your surrogate fathers as well.  We need them very much.

Love and Peace,

Fr. Jim