Issued by the Catholic Center for Studies and Media - Jordan. Editor-in-chief Fr. Rif'at Bader - موقع أبونا abouna.org

Published on Wednesday, 21 October 2020
O fathers, protect your children spiritually

By Munir Bayouk/ en.abouna.org :

Too many men become fathers, but these fathers sometimes do no act as good ones. Apart from caring for their children by being the breadwinners, serving to provide good education to their children, and helping them play a distinguished role in society, they still need to go far beyond this by considering the spiritual aspect of life. In this context a book has been authored by Tyler Rowley which gives invaluable inspiration to help men be better father figures.

 

The book titled, “Because of Our Fathers: Twenty-Three Catholics Tell How Their Fathers Led Them to Christ." The book is a compilation of essays from Catholics of all walks of life, chosen for their potential to inspire men to become better father figures, especially in a context that constantly poses challenges to the faith.

 

Actually, with the world further shifting into a period of instability and reports that go viral about violence, wars, corruption, persecution, and unemployment, it is time to look back for the omnipresent master of the universe, Lord Jesus Christ, to give needed guidance and help to those who seek His help so as to find their ways in life that has become abounding with difficulties and hardships.

 

The author of the book says, “It's interesting to reflect on all of the men and women who have been lost, who were overrun by the culture, or taken over by the culture, because their father did not anchor them in Christ, either because he wasn't there altogether, or because he did not take his job as the educator and the spiritual protector of his children seriously.”

 

Fathers are not supposed only to be educators and protectors of their children in time of difficulties, but they should always protect their children spiritually by showing them how to follow the steps of the Lord in all walks of life so as to have permanent divine care and guidance.

 

The book contains several chapters and each chapter features a different person, including the father of a teenager who died to save his classmates from a school shooter, and a former director of a Planned Parenthood clinic, among others.

 

The book is the author's attempt to draw attention to the socially tense situation in the world, which has shoved many young people into a state of despair and chaos leading some of them to commit suicide or to lead a perverted life. He also hopes the stories contained within these pages will inspire every man, in some way, to more seriously consider his role as a father or mentor, for the good of society.

 

HOW TO BE A GOOD FATHER?

 

Despite the fact that the father's role in our modern society has dwindled to almost nothing, yet the Christian father's role is important in molding and giving example to his children, especially to his sons. They should teach their children to be followers of Lord Jesus Christ and lift up a banner with the three theological virtues that are infused in the soul in the moment of Baptism, namely faith, hope and charity.

 

With faith no one can follow the path of evil. Furthermore, the trust in the Lord will give one the hope in a bright future regardless of any impediments, and furthermore strive to express love to everyone with a posture in charity and to give a helping hand to the needy.