Twelfth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Dear Friends, Happy Father’s Day!
When I was growing up, no one could make me feel safe and protected like my Dad. No matter what I was facing, if my Dad was nearby I felt totally confident and calm. To me, he was the most solid and strong person I could imagine—someone who could fix anything, overcome anything, and someone who would protect and defend me no matter what. And in adulthood, I feel much the same way about him: I call him for help for so many reasons, whether I’m feeling overwhelmed about the future or whether I just need advice for how to fix my car.
I am deeply grateful for the gift of my Dad, and I try to not take his presence in my life for granted. Even still, my dad is just a man; he is human, he has flaws and limitations, and he may not be here with me forever. I’m sure there are many people in our community this Father’s Day who have experienced the truth of this, and who do not have their dads around to call or to rely on.
What is truly amazing, and what today’s readings highlight so beautifully, is that no matter who our earthly fathers are or if they are still with us, we have a perfect, powerful, unfailing Father in Heaven; a Father who loved us before the dawn of time, who has counted every hair on our heads, and who will stop at nothing to love us, to save us, and to call us home to him.
When my dad shows love and affection toward me, or affirms and encourages me, it truly makes me feel unstoppable and like I can do anything. Our readings and Gospel today are like love letters from our heavenly Father, and they should make us feel the same way! In our first reading Jeremiah tells us, “[Our] LORD is with [us] like a mighty champion. [Our] persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.” In the Gospel Jesus tells us to “Fear no one” because of who our Father is. Our Father holds our body and soul in the palm of his hand, and he knows and notices everything. “Are not two sparrows sold for a small coin? Yet not one of them falls to the ground without your Father's knowledge. Even all the hairs of your head are counted. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
We so often forget who our Father is. And when we do, it can be easy to get swept up in the fears and anxieties of life. But these words of the Gospel are such a profound reminder! We have nothing to fear, because our Father is literally God. He is love itself, he is strength and protection itself, he has conquered death and darkness and he offers us the most glorious inheritance in Heaven. So on this Father’s day, let us step into our true identities as sons and daughters of this magnanimous Father, and let’s allow his perfect love to cast out all of our fears.
Jule Heffernan
Communications Director
