A Lesson from My Father

Every July 27^th, the Holy Spirit nudges me to give at least a few moments to give tribute to my dad, who died on this day in 1970.  So, here’s my feeble attempt to do so.

 “The best thing a man can do for his children is to love their mother.”—Father Theodore Hesburgh, CSC

I can’t recall any time that my father gave even the appearance of anything contrary to the vows he exchanged with my mother at the time of their marriage.  While I’m sure they had the normal disagreements that most married couples have, I never saw or heard them argue about anything while they were in my presence.  The respect and support that Dad showed toward Mom continues to inspire me to do the same in my marriage. 

When Mom and Dad were married, it was agreed that any children would be raised as Catholic.  Mom was Catholic.  Dad was Mormon but didn’t go to church services unless my paternal grandparents were visiting, as they were very devout.  The only times I saw Dad in a church was at baptisms, weddings, and funerals.  I saw him at the church every Sunday when he would drive Mom and us to Mass.  Many times, he would just stay in the car and wait to drive us home. Although I never heard Dad speak about God, or Christ, or anything spiritual, I remember Dad as a man who obviously saw Christ in everyone and treated everyone he met with dignity and respect--sometimes even when they didn’t deserve it, in my opinion.

You know that a man loves a woman when he supports her even when she isn’t looking.  I remember one time when Mom was in the hospital for a few days.  Only my younger brother Tom and I were in the house with Dad at that time.   About 7:00 in the evening, Dad called our oldest brother Bob to come over to say the Rosary with Tom and me because he knew this was something that Mom would be doing if she were home. There are many other examples I can cite that showed how much Dad loved Mom (and vice versa), but this was the moment in my life that defines the love and respect Dad always showed for Mom.  And by extension, it defines how much he loved his children and grandchildren.  Loving our mother was the greatest gift he had to give us.

Thanks for the “gift that keeps on giving”, Dad!

Turn it off!!! (If only for a little while!)

"Speak Lord, your servant is listening!" (1Samuel 3:10)

"He who answers before listening--that is his folly and his shame." (Proverbs 18:13).

“Be quick to listen and slow to speak." (James 1:19).

"You are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed." (Luke 10:38-42).

"This is my beloved Son; listen to him." (Mark 9:7)

"Do whatever he tells you." (John 2:5)

Jesus' teaching method was a very simple one.  He used parables – short stories and images taken from everyday life to convey hidden truths about the kingdom of God. Like a skillful artist, Jesus painted evocative pictures with short and simple words. A good image can speak more loudly and clearly than many words. Jesus used the ordinary everyday to point to another order of reality – hidden, yet visible to those who had "eyes to see" and "ears to hear". Jesus communicated with pictures and stories, vivid illustrations which captured the imaginations of His audience more powerfully than an abstract presentation could. His parables are like “buried treasure waiting to be discovered” (Matt. 13:44).

Jesus' parable of the sower is aimed at the hearers of His word. There are different ways of accepting God's word and they produce different kinds of fruit accordingly.  There is the prejudiced hearer who has a shut mind. Such a person is unteachable and blind to what he or she doesn't want to hear. Then there is the shallow hearer. He or she fails to think things out or think them through; they lack depth. They may initially respond with an emotional reaction; but when it wears off their mind wanders to something else.  Another type of hearer is the person who has many interests or cares, but who lacks the ability to hear or comprehend what is truly important; such a person is forever too busy to pray or too preoccupied to study and meditate on God's word.  He or she may work so hard that they are too tired to even think of anything else but their work.  Then there is the one whose mind is open.  Such a person is always willing to LISTEN, to HEAR, to LEARN, and to ACT on that learning. He or she is never too proud or too busy to learn. They listen in order to understand. God gives grace to those who hunger for His word that they may understand His will and have the strength to live and act according to it.

It's hard, if not impossible to communicate with someone who is not listening at all or giving you only part of their attention. Christ must get frustrated with us! He loves us so much, and wants to become one with each of us, but it is hard if we are not being attentive to Him.  We must turn the "noise" of the world off to make it easier to listen. Peace and quiet are so important!

"ONE Nation, Under GOD, with Liberty and Justice for ALL"

Today’s celebration of our beginnings as a nation should stir our hearts to renewed loyalty to our beloved country.

Yet our nation is now in the throes of a huge debate about policies and—more importantly—the treatment of other human beings looking for hope and safety. Our borders once offered hope and hospitality to the stranger. No more! The torch of Lady Liberty in New York harbor is as much a warning fire as it is a beacon of hope.  I have heard people say, “Our hospitality has run out!”  Hospitality to the stranger is so important to Jesus He made it a point to tell the parable of the Good Samaritan.  The Good Samaritan didn’t just get the stranger to a safe place, he also told the innkeeper to do whatever was necessary for the man to get well and if it cost more than already given, he would pay when he returned to the area again.  (Luke 10: 29-37)

Our nation is now also legalizing the horror of abortion in some states up to and even hours after the birth of a child!  This is evil by every standard of every civilization since the beginning of time.  There is never a good excuse for an abortion.  Ever. To use it as a form of “birth control” or for racist motives is especially sinister.

In the Gospels, Jesus commissions His apostles and disciples to go out and spread His message.  In every village and hamlet, they preach the Good News, heal the sick and drive out demons. Jesus instructs them to travel very light, relying on the people to feed and protect them. They are not to take staff or traveling bag. (Matthew 10, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 10:1-12)

Unfortunately, Jerusalem rejects the message, puts the Son of God to death, and seals its own fate, not the peace of Jerusalem, but its eventual destruction in the year 70AD! No wonder that, when Jesus arrives in Jerusalem for the last time, He weeps over the city's rejection, again using the image of God as a tenderhearted mother. (Luke 13: 34)

Our late Holy Father, St. John Paul II, reminded us that peace begins in the human heart. Peace will only come from those whose hearts are filled with God's love and obedience to His plan for the world.

On this Fourth of July, may we remind ourselves that, when we practice "justice for all," God will send us the peace for which we so long.