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In today's gospel we hear how
the disciples were reduced to childlike terror by a storm at sea. All
the while Jesus was asleep in the back of the boat. In utter desperation
they wake up the Lord and ask, "doesn't it matter to you that we are
going to perish?" Like a father reassuring his frightened children,
Jesus asks his disciples, "why are you so terrified... so lacking in
faith?
Jesus' matter of fact way with his disciples reminds me very much of my
own father. Little children have their fears: of the dark, of being
alone, of strangers, etc. Often a father's voice or embrace is all that
is needed to dispel the panic of real or imagined adversity. As we grow
older our fears change. We are more concerned about acceptance,
competence, commitments, our ability to face the many challenges of
adult life. Again, the example of our fathers urges us to attempt the
great feats they achieved.
My father worked two jobs, started a business, worried about his family
and employees. He daily confronted his own fears with a quiet
confidence, grounded in his belief that no challenge would come his way
without the necessary grace to handle it. He taught me wonderful lessons
about this life: that a man should learn from his mistakes, should be
humble in the presence of life's mysteries, and should sacrifice without
counting the cost. He taught me how to live and how to die with faith
instead of fear.
Even though last week was Fathers' Day, this week's readings got me
thinking more about fatherhood. Those of us who are called, "father" are
invited to be a source of strength and calm for our families. We are
called to replace terror with faith in our own lives and in the lives of
those around us. Maybe one more week of giving thanks for our fathers,
living and dead, can't hurt.
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