The Father's Love
This week, a number of father related incidents triggered my reflecting on ‘God the Father’s’ love. On Sunday, towards the end of a workshop for parents, a quiet, lone male among a sea of mothers, raised his hand and asked ‘and what about the effects of an absent mother?’. He went on to relate that he was bringing up his young children as a single father. As I listened to him, I thought of a religious sister who the week before, related to me, being tenderly brought up by her father.
Later that evening, a gentleman from the congregation, shared with me his story of his father’s love, which I wrote on in yeterday’s newsletter post. On Monday, we received word, that a friend, a father of 56yrs, passed on leaving to mourn his wife and four children. As I conducted the vigil nights service, I became aware of the deep love his children and wife harboured for him. I wondered of their weeks, months and years ahead, without the physical presence of their father’s love.
Then yesterday, I received a call from my brother, who lives with my aged, 95yrs and 92yrs old parents, that Daddy experienced a severe stroke. Last night as I awaited word on tests results, to determine the extent of the damage, I thought of the days he would play windball cricket with me and a brother of mine, after work on evenings. They were such wonderful times.
I always related to God the Father as an authoritarian, judgemental, distant father, who looked down sternly at the world. A sort of ‘Fear of God’ father figure. I believe it was drilled into me by my First Communion and Confirmation teacher, who herself was such a figure in my young life.
In this week’s Gospel John 15: 9-17, Jesus says ‘As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you’. As I reflected on my experiences and the words and acts of Jesus, I became aware that I have to revisit my concept of the Father’s love. To embrace a vision of God that is not distant and fearsome, but tender and compassionate.
As I navigate this uncertain journey with my own father, I find solace in the possibility of the Father’s love that transcends fear, a love that holds us close in our moments of greatest need.
NOTICE
I was not able to produce the welcome video for the Bible Reading and Study Membership Program yesterday. Today also, promises to be crowded. Hopefully I will find the time tomorrow. Please pray for blessings on all Daddys.
A father doesn’t always say a lot. Look at Joseph the earthly father of Jesus. We hardly have any words of him quoted. But a father’s love is often expressed and remembered in his actions and his presence with his family and the time he gives to be with them.
Praying for your father, Deacon, I hope he recovers from his stroke.