We have been hearing about the growing list of symptoms associated with COVID-19. It seems that if we have one or more of these symptoms, we should be tested to prevent the spread of the virus.
It is common medical practice that if you want a patient to get better, then you have to do more than simply treat the symptoms. If you wish to restore the health of the patient, you have to deal with the cause of the illness.
Some would say that right now our world is not in the best of health. We see this on many different levels. Medically, we are still in the midst of a pandemic; economically we are struggling; and socially we see a great deal of unrest.
Fortunately, incredible efforts are being made to address the cause of these significant issues rather than simply addressing the symptoms.
This is not only seen regarding COVID-19 and the economy, but also in dealing with social discontent. With this issue, a contributing factor that should not be overlooked is the breakdown of family life. Let us not forget what has been said before, 'as the family goes, so goes the nation.'
On Sunday, June 21, we celebrate Father's Day. This provides an opportunity to express our love and gratitude to these significant individuals. It also offers us to reflect upon the important role fathers play in keeping families happy and healthy.
There is no question that the meaning and significance of fatherhood has significantly changed over the last number of years. For some, this has created a degree of confusion. What does it mean to be a father in today's world? I would like to consider this question that focuses on relationships from a Christian perspective.
St. Paul states, "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her, in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word, so as to present the church to himself in splendour, without a spot or wrinkle or anything of the kind - yes, so that she may be holy and without blemish. In the same way, husbands should love their wives as they do their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself." (Ephesians 5:25-28)
We find in this scripture passage that the role of being a father begins with a significant relationship. A husband is called to love his wife as he loves himself. The focus is sacrificial love that is modelled on Christ.
In giving of themselves completely and exclusively to one another, a husband and wife open themselves to the possibility of growing in holiness and in creating new life. A child becomes a physical expression of their love for each other.
One of the most important things that fathers can do for their children is to model what it means to respect women by loving their wives.
In my own faith tradition, St. Joseph is considered the model husband and father. There is not much said about him in the scriptures; however, what we do know tells us that he was a carpenter who loved Mary and Jesus. He took an active role in raising Jesus by helping him to love God, his mother and others. He taught him to be a just man, and assisted him in learning his trade.
Together with Mary, Joseph helped to make his family happy and holy.
Fathers have a significant role to play in the lives of their children. They help to create stable families and a healthy society.
Happy Father's Day.
Appeared first at https://www.stcatharinesstandard.ca/opinion/2020/06/19/faith-matters-joseph-a-model-example-of-a-loving-father-and-husband.html