Father’s Day

“The divine fatherhood is the source of human fatherhood.” (CCC 2214)

On June 18, Father’s Day will be celebrated world-wide. Although it is a fairly recent observance in the Philippines (1988), we as a people have long practiced the exhortation of Sirach 7: 27, “with your whole heart honor your father; your mother’s birth pangs do not forget.” It is ingrained in our psyche as a people and as a nation.

In reality, it is not uncommon for credit to be ascribed to mothers for awakening and cultivating the life of faith in their children. While there is clearly no intention to disparage their fathers in these testimonies, it is clear that this reality presents fathers and father figures a big challenge – that of living up to their role of spiritual headship in the family.

Beyond providing for the economic and educational needs of the family, fathers must rededicate themselves to this sacred office of being the primary witness to their family of the faith that we profess. Given today’s complex and pervasive influences that impact on family structures and relations, this may seem like a Herculean task.

May St. Joseph, spouse of the Virgin Mary, teach fathers to cooperate with God’s grace in fulfilling their God-given duties as fathers after God’s own heart.