This coming Sunday is the feast of the Holy Trinity, and it
is also Father’s Day. Jesus referred to God as his father; it is one of the
essential relationships we humans seem to need to lead well grounded and
healthy lives.
I recently saw the movie Rocket
Man about the life of the musician Elton John. His father was often absent,
and when he was around he treated his son with harshness and disdain. As a
result, Elton spent a good 25 years of his life in a haze of addiction to
alcohol, cocaine, prescription drugs, food, and sex as he tried to numb his
pain over his lack of foundational love.
We are fortunate if we have earthly fathers who reflect at
least some of the qualities of God the Father that Jesus told us about—love,
forgiveness, patience, protection, availability, strength, guidance, and
wisdom. Even if we don’t, Jesus told us that he will share his Father with
us—that we are welcome to be part of their relationship of mutual love and
self-giving. A song we sometimes sing at the Mount includes the line “Strong
the love embracing us.” On Father’s Day, we give thanks for the strength and
tenderness of God the Father’s love for all of His children.
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