On this Father's Day weekend, I am reminded of the gift of a Godly man who is a husband and father. A godly man is a man who places God first in his life and lives accordingly. So according to both scripture and the teachings of the Church, that means being a Catholic man is like eating a pizza. It's impossible to list the ingredients - the crust, the sauce, the toppings, etc., but the taste is a blend. There should be a blend of many things for a good Catholic man, and it is a blending of relationships.
As an adult son, a man should gain a sense of wisdom that comes from living and give thanks for his parents as he attempts to repay them for their many gifts and sacrifices. And in some cases, to accept and maybe even rise above their mistakes and shortcomings. This man realizes how important it has been to hear "I love you" as he comes to understand how it is equally important for him to say it, to say it now, because time is passing more and more quickly.
As husband, a Godly man remembers he is a co-celebrant along with his wife in the sacrament of marriage. Modern society warns couples to "Watch out! Don't fall into the trap of giving more than you get." The Scriptures and the church teaches that marriage is for giving, that it is for openness to love and to life. This means he does not want things for his own sake, but knows it is "ours". What comes is just exactly what was in the vows he agreed to: good times and bad, sickness and health. What comes is a love that remains despite the bad and the sickness; a love that actually grows stronger through the obstacles and the crosses.
As father, a Catholic man turns his heart and mind to God and calls Him Father realizing that there are other humans who use the same title for him. They call to him and ask him for help and guidance and support and care. Fatherhood teaches a Catholic man about sacrifice. Giving up and going without are inseparable from being a dad. A Catholic dad knows his kids are watching. They may not always listen, but they never fail to see what he does. And so if he wants his children to be people of prayer who will be blessed with heaven, he must show them what it means to be a man of prayer. If he wants his children to be in a faith community to offer support and encouragement and other examples of faith, he will take his children to Mass and participate fully in the Liturgy.
Finally, part of being a Catholic man is not just answering the call to married, single or religious life; it's answering what Mother Teresa has referred to as "the call within the call." In whatever profession, craft or trade he finds himself, a Catholic man has a set of criteria to measure success that often differs from those around him. The definition of success Christ taught (Mt 25: 14-46), the one the Church teaches, doesn't have to do with income, with fame or with power. The one who dies with the most toys does NOT win. The truly successful man is the one who has taken the talent, that gift, however large or small it may be that God has given him, and has used it to the best of his ability for the good of others.
The truly successful man serves Christ by serving others, at home, at work and in the community. We need more Godly men.
Happy Father's Day.
God Bless,
