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A DAY FOR FATHERS/A DAY FOR THE FATHER
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Yes, today we honor our Dads, as best we can. We let them grill out (so we can eat, of course!); we let them wear the shirts and shorts and socks they want (so long as we aren’t within 3 miles of them!); we say we love them and give them a present (yes, another tacky tie…). For some of us, the best we can do is trim around the headstones, lay flowers, and pray. But nevertheless: long live Father’s Day!
But we need to consider a passage from Scripture: “…[there is] one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all” (Ephesians 4:6). Let’s talk about this Father for a bit.
Our Creeds (Nicene and Apostles’) are clear: God is the Father almighty, creator of all things, of heaven and of earth. I wonder how seriously we take this. If God is the creator of all, then God is (in some special way) the “Father” of all. So if we are all God’s children, how do we treat our brothers and sisters? Mother Teresa was fond of saying that it makes no difference, Jew or Muslim or Christian or Hindu or Buddhist—ALL are God’s children and must be shown love and respect. ALL have fundamental dignity to be honored.
It goes beyond this—after all, the ENTIRETY of creation is destined for salvation in Christ (re-read Romans 8:19-21 again, carefully). In some special ways, we are also brothers and sisters to animals, vegetables, and minerals, to stars and comets; to sea monsters (re-read Psalm 104:25-26, or Genesis 1:20-21) and pets. How many of us do not long to see our dogs or cats greeting us in heaven?
If this is true, then respect for creation means respect for our Father. It is the message of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’, and it is the message presented for years now by Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomeo. It is the message that will be marked this coming October 4 in a gathering about establishing a global care for creation. It’s so important—as I can demonstrate by a quote from an absolutely reliable source—God: “You think only God can make a tree? Try making a king mackerel. When they’re gone, they’re gone” (George Burns, O God). How true.
Can we honor Father’s Day this year without tacky ties and instead perhaps celebrate by not throwing away food? Perhaps we can enjoy a family “fishing rodeo” doing “catch and release (no barbs attached).” We might actually get carried away and donate to the efforts to alleviate hunger in other parts of the world (as Catholic Relief Services does). It’s all good because it respects ALL of God’s children.
Let me end with a quote from the (altered) hymn “Let There Be Peace On Earth”--
With God as our Father/We are family
Let us walk with each other/In perfect harmony.
One day…
