Reflections - On being a father

Forgive me a sinner...

A young man and his family stood praying in the back of a church awaiting the glorious Great Entrance. The man, full of zeal for his new found faith, attempting to church his children, signs himself with the sign of The Cross in an effort to stay with the Liturgy. His wife obviously uncomfortable and unsure of this new experience, stares on trying to make sence of it all.

"May the Lord God remember all of you in His Kingdom, now and ever and unto ages of ages.", the deacon calls. As the procession nears the young man struggles with his children, "get up!" he says with a forced whisper, "stand up!" gritting his teeth. One last effort to force his children to stand aright, he yanks on their arms. The procession passes as it has done for the last 2000+ years. The clergy and people praying for the salvation of the world.

The family is the Domestic Church and all that we do should mirror Christ to the world. It starts in our homes, behind closed doors long before we arrive to participate in the Liturgy.

I recall fighting with my wife, because we were late for church. Angry with one another the entire 20 minute drive and leaving her in the car as I marched in all my "righteous" anger to go stand before the Creator of the universe, the I AM.

Jesus Christ has never forced anyone to follow Him, nor has he "yanked" them by the arm to stand them up in reverance as He passes by. The example of our Lord and Saviour should show us that churching our children is a marathon of peaceful continual correction, not a sprint to turn our kids into monks/nuns, or to appear pious before others.

There was a statement told to me quite frequently when I was first introduced to Christ. "You may be the only bible people ever read." I thought this statement to be somewhat silly at first, but after having children I understand it's meaning more than ever. I am the "Priest" of my household. I "read" the gospel around the clock to my family, not verbally, but by living it out, not by forcing them to stand and pray. I like a deacon, direct my family's attention to help keep them on track. This is my calling as a Christian, as a husband, and as a father.

May God grant me humility, love and patience to fulfill that which he has entrusted to me.