Honoring “Our Father”

This Sunday marks the one day of the year that we honor our fathers, both adoptive or biological. Though I realize that some of us may not have had good experiences with our fathers growing up, whether it be through neglect, abuse, alcoholism, or otherwise, I want to compliment and affirm many of our good fathers out there who go unnoticed and not get the recognition they deserve.

You are the fathers who do a wonderful job raising your family. You deeply love your wife and kids. You work hard. You pay the bills and wash the cars. You mow the lawn in the heat. You rake the leaves in the brisk autumn. You shovel or snow-blow in the chill of winter. You make sacrifices for your family financially to put your kids through school. You simply put your family’s needs ahead of yours. You are the ones who bring comfort to us when life isn’t going well. You are the ones who pray with your kids and put them to bed at night. You participate in your parish and bring your families with you to Church. You are the ones who serve at the soup kitchen and take Holy Communion to the sick and homebound. You are the fathers who are active members in the Knights of Columbus who help serve the community. These examples are just a few of the many things you do, and you are to be commended for it; not necessarily for what you do, but for who you are.

The source of your response to the love and the graces given to you is no other than God, the Father Himself. While we do recognize you, our biological fathers on this particular day, how often do we acknowledge God, the Father for all he has blessed us with today? Not often enough. How recent have we recognized and given praise to God, the Father in heaven for who he is and all He has done for us especially sending us his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ? Not nearly what we could. This is a special day of importance to honor our true spiritual father, “Our Father who art in heaven.” He is the good, good Father who is perfect in all his ways. He is the great provider and great lover of all mankind for no one is father as God is Father.

In addition, I recommend to listen to a song that honors our Father; God, The Father. Check out the following song on youtube.com. The name of it is  “Good Good Father,” by Zealand Worship. Kick back. Watch the music video. Listen, and enjoy. I was blessed to see this band in concert here in Port Huron about eight months ago, and was impressed and inspired.

We are inspired by you fathers, and we are greatly inspired by the Holy Spirit in God, The Father. We are thankful for you fathers that God has blessed us with, and we owe a debt of gratitude to our Father in heaven for having him put you in our lives. May God, our Father continue to guide you, our biological fathers; lead you, and strengthen you as you continue to be examples of his love in your own households during these challenging times. “Our Father who art in heaven. Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Mt. 6:9-13, Lk. 11:2-4).

Happy Father’s Day!
– Fr. Jeff

Further Reading:

Hahn, Scott. Understanding Our Father: Biblical Reflections on The Lord’s Prayer, October 1st, 2002.

Music Video

“Good Good Father,” by Zealand Worship

Author: Fr. Jeff Allan

Biography - Fr. Jeff Allan, was ordained a Catholic priest on June 7th, 2014 for the Archdiocese of Detroit (AOD). He graduated from Adrian College in 2001 with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Criminal Justice. After working in the pharmaceutical sales industry for almost three years, he felt called to discern the priesthood. Before being ordained a priest, Fr. Jeff was blessed to receive three degrees from Sacred Heart Major Seminary in Detroit. They include a Bachelor of Philosophy, Baccalaureate in Sacred Theology (STB), and a Master of Divinity (Theology). His assignments in the U.S. have included serving at multiple parishes in the Archdiocese of Detroit as an associate pastor and currently as a weekend assistant. Fr. Jeff is certified as a hospital chaplain through ACPE (Association for Clinical Pastoral Education). He has had the opportunity of serving at three Metro-Detroit Area Hospitals since 2017 where he serves in full-time ministry as a Catholic Priest and Hospital Chaplain. View all posts by Fr. Jeff Allan