The Dad Gospel
I think I’d be “preaching to the choir” if I said that Mass becomes more difficult to focus in on or take in once you have a tot to watch during the Liturgy. Just this third Sunday of Advent, otherwise known as Gaudate Sunday, my son was somewhat fidgety, but well behaved. He was a peach, really; he wasn’t noisy or misbehaving, but rather he was just had to move around a bit during Mass.
You and your wife have a game plan to help get the family through the Mass in one piece, all the while trying to take in the reality of what is taking place on the altar.
When your wee one is on the move (or wants to be) during Mass (I can’t think of a Sunday this hasn’t happened), it requires your attention, or at least most of it, from the very moment you squeeze into the pew to begin to celebrate the divine Liturgy. You, as the good husband that you ought to be, try to help your spouse share the challenge of keeping your bambino entertained while at the same time trying to point out the significance to the Mass to your toddler, who may be at the time quite preoccupied with what he wants to eat within the next 5 minutes.
It occurred to me today that while I have less time to focus and be completely lost within the Mass to become one with it, there are other ways that I may be more present. This is by living out the Gospel in fatherhood in the home.
We have all surely heard the quote associated with (not actually said by) St Francis of Assisi: “preach the Gospel always and use words when necessary).” Why not take this and use it in the home? Really, why not use it anywhere? Even more important, I argue for us men who are fathers in the home, to make that our mantra, if you will.
I propose that we fathers make this our goal. Let our very livelihoods as parents be the gospel. Let us start in home. Let us start with loving unconditionally with our wives and children. Let us will their good for their sake. Let our love be the light of Christ that converts those around us.
