The Vocation of Fatherhood

As we consider the vocation of fatherhood, let us first give thanks to our Heavenly Father, who created our inmost being and knit us together in our mothers’ wombs.  (Ps. 139:13-14). He knows better than our earthly fathers what good gifts to give us.  (Lk. 11:11-13).  Let us give Him thanks for all the good gifts he has bestowed upon us out of love, especially the gifts of his only-begotten Son, his spouse the Church, and the sacraments.

Next, let us give thanks to our spiritual fathers, from the Holy Father, Pope Francis, to our bishop and all the pastors of our Diocese who nourish us with the Word of God and the sacraments.  Through their spiritual fatherhood, they help to lead us to our ultimate destination, an eternity spent in joy with our Heavenly Father as beloved sons and daughters.  Let us also give thanks to our earthly fathers, step-fathers, fathers-in-law, and grandfathers for all that they have done for us.  Throughout our lives, they have provided us not only with material support and encouragement but also spiritual support in their role as head of the domestic church.  

For those of us who are fathers, we are called to be one of the primary educators of our children in matters of faith.  As the Catechism notes, “in our own time, in a world often alien and even hostile to faith, believing families are of primary importance as centers of living, radiant faith.”  (CCC 1656). As Vatican II teaches, “The family, so to speak, is the domestic church . . . Parents should be, by word and example, first preachers of faith to their children.”  Reflecting upon the blessings of fatherhood and taking stock of our lives, have we, as St. Paul urges in Ephesians 5 and Colossians 3, loved our wives as Christ loves his Church?  Have we avoided provoking our children, lest they become discouraged?  God always creates greater good out of evil.  During this time of the pandemic, have we taken advantage of the extra time at home to grow closer to our wives and children?  Have we modeled patience, kindness, and self-sacrificing love?  Have we been family prayer leaders?  In short, as head of the domestic church, have we modeled Christ to our families?  

Most of us are familiar with the old adage “actions speak louder than words.”  Nowhere is this more evident than in the gospels, which record not a single word spoken by St. Joseph, yet richly narrate his actions, which are the perfect model of self-sacrificial love and fatherhood.  In the words of St. Augustine, “see that you praise God not with your lips and voices alone, but with your minds, your lives, and all your actions.”  Like St. Joseph, let us show our wives and children through our lives and our actions what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like and how that relationship is lived out daily within the truth, goodness, and beauty of our Catholic faith.  Through that life and action, we shall fulfill our vocation as fathers and lead our family on the path to heaven.  St. Joseph, the foster father of the Son of God, head of the holy family, an example to parents, and pillar of family life, intercede for us that we might become the holy men of God and fathers we are meant to be.

Deacon Paul D. Lochner
Louis the King, Marquette, Mi