Today is Father’s Day. To excel as a father, whether a natural or spiritual one, you need to first excel as a child of God. So, that you can, in turn, model and lead others to our heavenly Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (see Matt. 18:1–4; 19:13–15).
When we experience unjust trials, we might seek to justify ourselves—instead of God—like Job did (see Job 32:2). Before declaring Job’s innocence (42:7), the Almighty rightly vindicates himself from any wrongdoing (38:1–41:34). In today’s First Reading (Job 38:1, 8–11), God reminds Job—and each of us—that he is the creator and thus, implicitly, we his creatures, although beloved children to be sure.
As omnipotent Lord, stilling the proud waves of the sea is simple. An action that should humble us, but also give us confidence that God can—and will—take care of us.
Jesus reaffirms this lesson in our Gospel (Mark 4:35–41). After calming the seas when death seemed certain, he asks his disciples, “Why are you terrified? Do you not yet have faith?”
Childlike Trust in the Lord
Do we have faith amidst the storms in our lives? In following Christ, we must have the steadfast trust of children. Be childlike and not childish, as the late Father Ray Ryland counseled in facing difficulties. “Whatcha have in mind, Lord?” he would say with joyful docility. “Whatcha have in mind?”
On this Father’s Day, I remember Father Dan Jones, my pastor and spiritual father at St. John Fisher Chapel University Parish in Auburn Hills, MI. Father Dan received his challenging assignment last summer. Many sadly left the parish, primarily because he humbly explained that the words of the Nicene Creed, “for us men, and for our salvation” are inclusive of women, not exclusionary. Similarly, because God is our Father, it’s not sexist, when asking the Lord to accept our gifts at Mass, to pray, “for our good and the good of all His holy Church.”
Despite the attrition, Father Dan and his newly ordained associate Father Drew Mabee stayed faithful. Their humble, orthodox witness attracted a good number of new parishioners, including me.
Father Dan understood that childlikeness requires radically trusting our heavenly Father. The world chafes at being childlike precisely because of the unwavering trust and death to self it requires. Just keep staying faithful and the people will come, one of the new parishioners encouraged Father Dan last Fall, as the parish struggled financially despite its spiritual renewal.
Christ-Centered Families
And come they did. Word got around about St. John Fisher’s, as an increasing number of families—including a good number with young children—were drawn to the childlike leadership of Father Dan and Father Drew. Like Job, the Good Lord vindicated Father Dan who, despite being diagnosed with lymphoma earlier this year and dying from lymphoma last month, lived to see the transformative fruits of his labors, and therefore give further witness to the many priests he formed as a professor at Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit.
On the Solemnity of Corpus Christi two weeks ago, I marveled as more new families with more young children arrived for the first time at St. John Fisher. The kind of families that the college students at Oakland University—which is just across the street—need to see. Many college students these days are allergic to marriage and family life. Perhaps because of their own family experiences and also because of their misconception—pun intended—that caring for a spouse and children will impede their quest for self-fulfillment.
The Beatles got it right when they sang, “money can’t buy me love.” Yet nothing is so persuasive—and serenely contagious—as Christ-centered families. They show what the Church preaches remains ever ancient, yet ever new.
Thank you for your faithful witness, Father Dan and Father Drew.
[…] with nobody to catch them. Maybe they will make it to the surface, maybe not. Seems to me that the childlike approach of jumping into Jesus’ arms makes the most sense. Saint Kateri made the Leap of Faith to […]