This weekend as we return to Ordinary Time, we celebrate and honor our Fathers. I would like us to reflect on and encourage our Fathers to be Men of God that Make a Difference.
Fathers Day and Juneteenth weekend are opportunities for us to see in our men a call for them to be prophetic in critical and challenging times. A father who is a man of God can have a profound impact on the lives of their children, but they can also be prophetic in our world.
Let’s look at the Prophet Jeremiah that we hear from today. Jeremiah was a prophet just prior to the Babylonian Captivity when again the people of Israel found themselves under the shackles of slavery. God called Jeremiah to call the people back to return to a right relationship with God and to follow His commandments.
We find in the prophet courage to face the challenges of today. From fathers who provide for their families, protect their families, nurture their families and sacrifice for their families there is a prophetic call to be men of God who are willing to be a prophetic voice in a lost and chaotic world.
Jeremiah says in 20:20:
“the LORD is with me, like a mighty champion:
my persecutors will stumble, they will not triumph.”
and in he continues:
“to you I have entrusted my cause.
Sing to the LORD,
praise the LORD,
for he has rescued the life of the poor
from the power of the wicked!”
As men of God who make a difference fathers recognize that God is with them, a mighty champion by their side. You see making a difference is knowing that true strength and courage comes from the ability to entrust to the Lord your cause and know that God will rescue the lives of the suffering, the poor and those who find themselves on the peripheries.
You see fathers in living out your vocational call you make a difference in the lives of children, we have seen so often how lives turn out that don’t have a father in them. Fathers who are men of God can make such a difference in the lives of children and families and these men can be prophetic voices for our world.
We need men of God to make a difference and be first men that pray! From your personal relationship with Christ you find a wellspring of courage to face the struggles of life. Our world needs you men of God, we have the opportunity to make a difference. To stop the hate and transform these dark days into a bright future.
God so needs our men of God, fathers and sons to be without fear! Fearless in the face of the perils of this world. I believe that there is a surge of great love being poured out. As people stand up, show up and speak up it is saying we actually love our Black and Brown brothers and sisters who have experienced so much pain. As voices around the world speak up, has anyone recognized the love? Has anyone thought that fearlessness of our men of God is making a difference? This is what I choose to see! Not that I turn my eyes from the hatred and the evil, but I choose to see the great love that is being expressed.
It is as a man of God that I ask each one who reflects here, to see that you need not live in fear. Jesus says in Matthew 10:32
“So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Everyone who acknowledges me before others
I will acknowledge before my heavenly Father.”
Men of God make a difference and take your place, make your voice heard and be a catalyst for change. Make our world a better place knowing that your life matters to God, and to us. Acknowledge God through your life and witness that faith to your children.
