Word for the day by Christian Education Forum
Father's Day
Rev. Dennis Abraham
Youth Chaplain,
South East Region
“Honor your father and mother,…so that it may be well with you and you may
live long on the earth.” (Ephesians 6:2a,3 NRSV)
Today is Father’s Day. This is a day that commemorates fatherhood, the work of all fathers and grandfathers. It is also a time to remember with gratitude, the lives of the Fathers who are not with us today.
Paul’s letter to the faith community in Ephesus emphasized the importance of living an upright Christian life. This is directly quoted from the Ten Commandments given to Israel (Deuteronomy 6), one of which tells us to honor our parents. We need to understand that our parents are God’s gift to us. This is a privilege. Children honoring their parents will lead to a sustained Christian family life. A family that does not accept the leadership of the parents will have difficulty being sustained. God desires obedience, humility, and respect in the family. God’s promise is long life as a result.
At the same time, parents need to be role models for their children. Having children is a blessing and a great privilege. At the time of Holy Baptism, the parents and Godparents take an oath in the church, in the presence of God and the faith community, which represents their commitment to raising their child in the faith. This also requires them to honor the Lord through their children and family life. Paul emphasizes this in verse 4, when he says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Fatherhood is a calling, and it should be for the glory of God.
In Israel’s history, fathers had an important role: to teach the children in faith. It was the father's responsibility to ensure the children’s religious education, which was considered as the first and foremost priority in Hebrew tradition. They were the ones who had to pass on the traditions of faith to the next generation (Deuteronomy 6). The most important achievement of a father is his God fearing children. In order to achieve this in the present time, parents need to redefine their priorities, and give more attention to matters of faith.
Father’s day is also a time for us to remember the love and care we receive from our Heavenly Father. We were created in His image. We experience His love, fulfilled through Jesus Christ the Son, and is being sustained in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sin causes us to move away from God’s presence. Let us return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Today is Father’s Day. This is a day that commemorates fatherhood, the work of all fathers and grandfathers. It is also a time to remember with gratitude, the lives of the Fathers who are not with us today.
Paul’s letter to the faith community in Ephesus emphasized the importance of living an upright Christian life. This is directly quoted from the Ten Commandments given to Israel (Deuteronomy 6), one of which tells us to honor our parents. We need to understand that our parents are God’s gift to us. This is a privilege. Children honoring their parents will lead to a sustained Christian family life. A family that does not accept the leadership of the parents will have difficulty being sustained. God desires obedience, humility, and respect in the family. God’s promise is long life as a result.
At the same time, parents need to be role models for their children. Having children is a blessing and a great privilege. At the time of Holy Baptism, the parents and Godparents take an oath in the church, in the presence of God and the faith community, which represents their commitment to raising their child in the faith. This also requires them to honor the Lord through their children and family life. Paul emphasizes this in verse 4, when he says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.” Fatherhood is a calling, and it should be for the glory of God.
In Israel’s history, fathers had an important role: to teach the children in faith. It was the father's responsibility to ensure the children’s religious education, which was considered as the first and foremost priority in Hebrew tradition. They were the ones who had to pass on the traditions of faith to the next generation (Deuteronomy 6). The most important achievement of a father is his God fearing children. In order to achieve this in the present time, parents need to redefine their priorities, and give more attention to matters of faith.
Father’s day is also a time for us to remember the love and care we receive from our Heavenly Father. We were created in His image. We experience His love, fulfilled through Jesus Christ the Son, and is being sustained in us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Sin causes us to move away from God’s presence. Let us return to the presence of our Heavenly Father.
PRAYER
Lord, we thank you for
the Fathers we have, both in our families and in our faith communities. We also
thank you for the Fathers of faith, who have taught us the true faith. Help us
to follow in their footsteps. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
THOUGHT
FOR THE DAY:
Father’s day celebrates Fatherhood. Let us also dedicate our lives to our Heavenly Father, who created us and loves us.
Father’s day celebrates Fatherhood. Let us also dedicate our lives to our Heavenly Father, who created us and loves us.