God the Father

Then from the cloud came a voice that said, “This is my Son, my chosen, listen to him” (Luke 9:35).

            Some time ago, I was chatting with someone who had a problem with the term God the Father. “I never had a good relationship with my father”, the man stated. “He often arrived home from work drunk and then beat up my mother, my siblings and I”, he continued. “I left home as soon as I could and never kept in contact with him”. It is a sad reality many individuals have had a similar experience to that man. However, using the term “God the Father” is necessary because it is a reminder of how all the true qualities of a father are found in God.

            In this passage from Luke, a voice from the cloud calls Jesus “my Son, my chosen”. By doing so, the presence of God the Father in Christ’s life is revealed at the Transfiguration.

            Fathers played a key role within Jewish society. A father was the head of the household and provided protection and the necessities of life for his children. Among his Religious duties were: the birth of a son who would inherit the family property and thereby extend the Covenant with God; circumcision of all male offspring; and providing Religious instruction to his children. In return, children owed their father: honor; obedience; and support in his old age. In the Jewish Law, the punishment for those who struck or cursed a father was death while dishonouring him was punished by a public shaming. Since Fathers were the source of life, children owed them an infinite debt. For this reason, one’s behaviour showed respect for one’s Father. In a similar way, God the Father had a crucial place in the life of Jesus. The cloud which overshadowed Christ and his disciples and the voice from it were clear signs of the Father’s presence. The terms “my Son” and “my chosen” signaled the depth of the relationship between the two. The conversation with Moses and Elijah on the mountain about his future death in Jerusalem indicated the commitment of Jesus to his Father’s Will. Later in the Garden of Gethsemane, Christ prayed for the removal of the cup of suffering but accepted what his Father wanted. As a good son, Jesus trusted in his Father’s Will even when faced with the human anxieties about death. At the Transfiguration, the Father’s role as the one who was present to Christ during his Passion and Death became clear.

            Lent is the season when Catholics are invited to reflect more deeply upon the role of God the Father in their lives. Over the past few decades, the way in which fathers have participated in family life has greatly changed. As the number of mothers working outside the home has grown, fathers have become more directly involved in domestic responsibilities and the raising of their children. However, these trends have not really altered the essential role of a father: to provide a solid foundation for the life of his family. While some fathers neglect their responsibilities; most fulfill them. They complement the efforts of mothers in raising their children by supplying the affirmation and guidance which God the Father provided for Jesus. Similarly, the perception of God the Father has also changed in recent times. He is no longer seen solely as the Creator of the Universe and the one who sent Jesus as our Savior but also the one who affirmed his identity and Mission, remaining present to him throughout his life. God the Father plays the same role in the lives of all the faithful although they may not always recognize it.

            During Lent, one way Catholics can be more fully aware of the role of God the Father in their lives is to respect his name. The use of coarse language within our Society is a trend which disturbs many people of Faith. Yet, how often are the words “God” or “Christ” used in a moment of anger or disgust without much thought. The way someone uses these names tells other people how important God is to them. It is unlikely a person would be so careless in the use of their own name or that of someone close to them. Individuals should show respect for God’s name because of his fatherly role: He is the one responsible for the Creation of everyone and everything. When the human race broke its relationship with him, God the Father sent his Son to restore it through the death of Christ on the cross. By respecting his name, we indicate how we recognize him as embodying the true qualities of fatherhood.

            Many people, like the man I described earlier, have painful memories of their fathers. It demonstrates the enormous influence, whether positive or negative, this person has on the life of his children. With this power comes enormous responsibility. While no earthly father is prefect, each should model themselves after their heavenly one. God the Father was a constant presence in his Son’s life and helped him fulfill his Mission. Similarly, earthly fathers are called to remain present to their children to help them do the same.

March 13, 2022