FATHERHOOD
by Bob Wickizer
Scripture: 1 Samuel 15:34-35, 1 Samuel 16:1-13, Psalms 20:1-9, 2 Corinthians 5:6-17, Mark 4:26-34
Title: Fatherhood
Author: Bob Wickizer
Text: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34
Does anyone find it ironic that today, Father's Day, our gospel reading consists of parables of Jesus about sowing seeds?
On this particular day, I would like to reflect on fatherhood, then, now, and for a hopeful future. I have two lovely daughters and no grandchildren. My personal desires for my legacy generations are now spread across children and families everywhere. My role as priest, counselor, baptizer and author continues to spread far beyond my immediate family. My hopes for humanity may seem too idealistic, unrealistic, dreamy and impractical, but with God, I know that all things are possible.
To one degree or another, biologic fathers will always have a role to play in procreation. The way some males behave however, I can understand the dystopian feminist desire to replace us with a global seed bank. I attended a seminary where that seemed to be the undercurrent of their dreams. But, like it or not, most men will father a child at some point. The difference between mothers and fathers starts at inception.
Mothers don't have much choice. That baby will be with them for a significant period of time. Mom's immune system, and basic physiology all literally shift to admit a new person coming into this world. Meanwhile, the father gets to make some choices.
The alternatives are stark. Their consequences are profound. Dad can be a jerk. Or dad can be part of the future and choose to love. Yes, there are situations and choices made in between these polar opposites, but I push the point intentionally.
Jesus would call the jerk alternative "useless." That is a closer rendering of the term "evil" we find in the bible. Jesus would call the choice to love alternative "useful" which is what he meant when calling things "good."
A useless dad is, at best, out of the picture. The child grows up with grandparents, siblings, uncles, ...
Author: Bob Wickizer
Text: 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; Psalm 20; 2 Corinthians 5:6-17; Mark 4:26-34
Does anyone find it ironic that today, Father's Day, our gospel reading consists of parables of Jesus about sowing seeds?
On this particular day, I would like to reflect on fatherhood, then, now, and for a hopeful future. I have two lovely daughters and no grandchildren. My personal desires for my legacy generations are now spread across children and families everywhere. My role as priest, counselor, baptizer and author continues to spread far beyond my immediate family. My hopes for humanity may seem too idealistic, unrealistic, dreamy and impractical, but with God, I know that all things are possible.
To one degree or another, biologic fathers will always have a role to play in procreation. The way some males behave however, I can understand the dystopian feminist desire to replace us with a global seed bank. I attended a seminary where that seemed to be the undercurrent of their dreams. But, like it or not, most men will father a child at some point. The difference between mothers and fathers starts at inception.
Mothers don't have much choice. That baby will be with them for a significant period of time. Mom's immune system, and basic physiology all literally shift to admit a new person coming into this world. Meanwhile, the father gets to make some choices.
The alternatives are stark. Their consequences are profound. Dad can be a jerk. Or dad can be part of the future and choose to love. Yes, there are situations and choices made in between these polar opposites, but I push the point intentionally.
Jesus would call the jerk alternative "useless." That is a closer rendering of the term "evil" we find in the bible. Jesus would call the choice to love alternative "useful" which is what he meant when calling things "good."
A useless dad is, at best, out of the picture. The child grows up with grandparents, siblings, uncles, ...
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