Letter of June 9, 2006

Father: for Others and Forever
The Most Reverend Carl F. Mengeling, Bishop of Lansing

‘FATHER’ is an awesome title and reality! A Father is so basic, necessary and ongoing that it’s easy to take him for granted. Truly everyday is a Father’s Day. Still it’s vital to celebrate that blessed reminder called Father’s Day.

Everything about ‘Father’ always says ‘others’! He is a man FOR OTHERS.

First, he does not enter marriage and become a husband for himself. No, she is the center of his life and he is there for her. So, too, his wife is there for him, the center of her life. Both are a precious and ongoing gift.

Evermore, as partners with Christ, they are the presence of Christ to each other. The love of Christ continues in them as they become for each other ‘the body give up and the blood poured out’ as total gift.

A man becomes a Father, not for himself, but for his children. Together with his wife, they form a family in which children can flourish and grow in the furnace of their parent’s love. How blessed we are with fathers whose lives reflect lively FAITH, loving FIDELITY and manly FORTITUDE!

The 51 Chapters in the Old Testament Book, Sirach contain inspiring gems about all phases of human life. Sirach is one of the seven Wisdom Books.

The author, Jesus, son of Sirach, lived in Jerusalem and wrote his book between 200 and 175 B.C.

From early centuries, the Church has included segments from Sirach in the yearly cycles of Mass Readings.

Two of them highlight the importance of FATHERS. Not surprising, one is the I Reading for the Feast of the Holy Family on December 30. It’s a good meditation for all of us on Father’s Day.

Sirach, Chapter 3: the LORD sets a father in honor over his children; a mother’s authority he confirms over her sons. He who honors his father atones for sins; he stores up riches who reveres his mother. He who honors his father is gladdened by children, and when he prays he is heard. He who reveres his father will live a long life; My son, take care of your father when he is old; grieve him not as long as he lives. Even if his mind fails, be considerate with him; revile him not in the fullness of your strength. For kindness to a father will not be forgotten, it will serve as a sin offering - it will take lasting root.

On the Friday of the 8th Week in Ordinary Time, SIRACH speaks to us again about Fathers. This meditation reminds us of our Fathers, whose memory is never forgotten and whose faith and love live on in us and in the embrace of God and the Saints.

Sirach, Chapter 44: Now will I praise those godly men, our ancestors, each in his own time: all these were glorious in their time, each illustrious in his day. Some of them have left behind a name and men recount their praiseworthy deeds; But of others there is no memory, for when they ceased, they ceased. And they are as though they had not lived, they and their children after them. Yet these also were godly men whose virtues have not been forgotten; Their wealth remains in their families, their heritage with their descendants; Through God’s covenant with them their family endures, their posterity, for their sake. And for all time their progeny will endure, their glory will never be blotted out.

Here’s the start of what can become a long litany: Mender of toys, Leader of boys, Changer of fuses, Kisser of bruises, Bless him, dear Lord! Mover of couches, Soother of ouches, Pounder of nails, Teller of tales, reward him, O Lord! Hanger of screens, Counselor of teens, Fixer of bikes, Chastiser of tykes, Help him, O Lord! Raker of leaves, Cleaner of eaves, Dryer of tears, Comforter of fears, Bless him, O Lord!