All too often desperate mothers, with their hearts laden with sorrow and their conscience smeared with guilt and
their strength depleted to the last drop of energy, come crying to me to give
them a solution to their wandering, lost, and forlorn child. Drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction,
cohabitation, gang involvement, attempted suicide— usually these are in the
“Litany of despair” bemoaning the sad plight of the mother’s son or daughter.
their strength depleted to the last drop of energy, come crying to me to give
them a solution to their wandering, lost, and forlorn child. Drug addiction, alcoholism, sex addiction,
cohabitation, gang involvement, attempted suicide— usually these are in the
“Litany of despair” bemoaning the sad plight of the mother’s son or daughter.
As priest, Pastor,and friend, I
usually ask two pointed questions!
First, how is you and your son’s relationship with God? Usually, it is either weak or
non-existent! Then, the next key
question that I ask sincerely to the weeping mother is: “Where is the father
and what is he doing to help this wayward, prodigal son????”
usually ask two pointed questions!
First, how is you and your son’s relationship with God? Usually, it is either weak or
non-existent! Then, the next key
question that I ask sincerely to the weeping mother is: “Where is the father
and what is he doing to help this wayward, prodigal son????”
Usually the mother, with sadness and
sometimes anger responds: “He left us and is out of the scene.” Or, “
His Dad works hard all day, but is never involved in the life of his kids! For
him, to be a good father, is simply to work, make money, pay the bills and put
the bread and milk on the table!”
sometimes anger responds: “He left us and is out of the scene.” Or, “
His Dad works hard all day, but is never involved in the life of his kids! For
him, to be a good father, is simply to work, make money, pay the bills and put
the bread and milk on the table!”
Bingo! The reason for children falling into immorality, depression, gang activities and attempting society is clear— No
God the Father and no earthly Father! Children desperately need the presence of God, but also the presence of
God the Father mediated through the channel of their earthly father, who indeed
should be the first to reflect the Heavenly Father to their children!
God the Father and no earthly Father! Children desperately need the presence of God, but also the presence of
God the Father mediated through the channel of their earthly father, who indeed
should be the first to reflect the Heavenly Father to their children!
This being the state of affairs, absent fathers, drop-out Dad’s, workaholic Dad’s prioritizing their work and
money over their child, what can we do to foster true, authentic, loving but
firm Fathers? The future of the child, the family, the society and the world depends on the formation of TRUE
FATHERS. Below are 5 indispensable qualities of a true father. Let us storm heaven and pray that this will be the path of
our future fathers!
money over their child, what can we do to foster true, authentic, loving but
firm Fathers? The future of the child, the family, the society and the world depends on the formation of TRUE
FATHERS. Below are 5 indispensable qualities of a true father. Let us storm heaven and pray that this will be the path of
our future fathers!
1. MAN OF GOD. First and foremost a true Father must be a true son of God the
Father. If the earthly father has
established a loving, tender and intimate relationship with God as Father, then
he will be able to communicate this to his children. Of great importance also is that fathers
should look to with great love, devotion and reverence to good SAINT
JOSEPH. The greatest earthly father is good
SAINT JOSEPH.
Father. If the earthly father has
established a loving, tender and intimate relationship with God as Father, then
he will be able to communicate this to his children. Of great importance also is that fathers
should look to with great love, devotion and reverence to good SAINT
JOSEPH. The greatest earthly father is good
SAINT JOSEPH.
2. LOVING AND FAITHFUL
SPOUSE/HUSBAND. When husbands truly
love their wives, when there is great respect and tenderness of husband toward
his wife, when the husband rejoices and laughs heartily in the presence of his
wife, then the family atmosphere is festive and joyful. The children can
breathe peace and joy in the air! On the other hand, where there are quarrels
and fights between husband and wife, mean looks, and a cruel cemetery silence,
then the children are confused, insecure and fall into a state of
depression! Listen to St. Paul,
“Husbands love your wives as you do your own body… and love is patient and
kind… Great words of encouragement from St. Paul!
SPOUSE/HUSBAND. When husbands truly
love their wives, when there is great respect and tenderness of husband toward
his wife, when the husband rejoices and laughs heartily in the presence of his
wife, then the family atmosphere is festive and joyful. The children can
breathe peace and joy in the air! On the other hand, where there are quarrels
and fights between husband and wife, mean looks, and a cruel cemetery silence,
then the children are confused, insecure and fall into a state of
depression! Listen to St. Paul,
“Husbands love your wives as you do your own body… and love is patient and
kind… Great words of encouragement from St. Paul!
3. LOVING AND INVOLVED FATHER. After work, family time is just starting. Even
though work can be stressful and draining, still true fathers must walk the
extra mile and be available for their family. Dad must be there and involved!
How? First, to pray with his family. “The family that prays together, stays
together.” The father should be the spiritual leader— if you like, “The priest” of the family. Dad takes the
initiative in religion! Second, eat meals together and talk, communicate, get
the family members to tell what has happened and what is going on. Third, play
time! Children love to play and especially with Dad. Studies show that looking
in retrospect, some of the most happy and rewarding moments where when Dad was
playing with them! Piggy back rides,
airplane, wrestling, arm-wrestling—all of these serve to establish a deep and
lasting rapport between Father and son.
Many have turned toward a homosexual lifestyle because they never
experienced the warmth of a father’s embrace in their childhood!
though work can be stressful and draining, still true fathers must walk the
extra mile and be available for their family. Dad must be there and involved!
How? First, to pray with his family. “The family that prays together, stays
together.” The father should be the spiritual leader— if you like, “The priest” of the family. Dad takes the
initiative in religion! Second, eat meals together and talk, communicate, get
the family members to tell what has happened and what is going on. Third, play
time! Children love to play and especially with Dad. Studies show that looking
in retrospect, some of the most happy and rewarding moments where when Dad was
playing with them! Piggy back rides,
airplane, wrestling, arm-wrestling—all of these serve to establish a deep and
lasting rapport between Father and son.
Many have turned toward a homosexual lifestyle because they never
experienced the warmth of a father’s embrace in their childhood!
4. HARD AND DEDICATED WORKERS! No freebees!
“No pain, no gain!” Success comes
from “Blood, sweat and tears” and a lot of the three! True fathers should
implement the “Two-P’s!”— to protect their family and to provide for their
family! A true father is a GOOD
SHEPHERD to his flock! He works hard to
provide for the material, emotional, social and spiritual needs of his
children. Furthermore, he is ready and willing to protect the home from the
entrance of wolves who seek, on the sly, to enter, to devour and kill the
innocent! Today, more than ever, good fathers should be vigilant in the use of
the Modern Mass media—that is to say, T.V. Radio, Internet, I-pod and I-pads,
movies… Remember that the eyes are the mirror to the soul.
“No pain, no gain!” Success comes
from “Blood, sweat and tears” and a lot of the three! True fathers should
implement the “Two-P’s!”— to protect their family and to provide for their
family! A true father is a GOOD
SHEPHERD to his flock! He works hard to
provide for the material, emotional, social and spiritual needs of his
children. Furthermore, he is ready and willing to protect the home from the
entrance of wolves who seek, on the sly, to enter, to devour and kill the
innocent! Today, more than ever, good fathers should be vigilant in the use of
the Modern Mass media—that is to say, T.V. Radio, Internet, I-pod and I-pads,
movies… Remember that the eyes are the mirror to the soul.
5. JOKE, JOSTLE, JOY, JESTER, JIFFY-FREE! There is a time for everything underneath the sun. A true father enjoys being with his kids. This can be very efficaciously accomplished, the finishing touch or the cream on the cake, by humor, jokes, and the “lighter side.” During tense moments that all families eventually have to traverse, a little bit of humor, a funny joke or surprise laughter can dissipate the bad odor of those tense moments! All spiritual writers agree on this point: the devil goes fishing in a sad, depressed and desolate soul. A multitude of demons descend upon lazy souls but also sad and depressed souls!
Fabulous, faithful, fantastic fathers can be a reality! The future of the
woman, the future of the son/daughter, the future of the family, as well as the
future of the society as a whole depends much upon the formation of true
fathers. Let us earnestly pray that men who are called to the married state
would strive with all the energy of their wills to attain this most noble of
goals! Good Saint Joseph, pray for us!
woman, the future of the son/daughter, the future of the family, as well as the
future of the society as a whole depends much upon the formation of true
fathers. Let us earnestly pray that men who are called to the married state
would strive with all the energy of their wills to attain this most noble of
goals! Good Saint Joseph, pray for us!
