Fathers, Do We Honor Them?

I heard this sermon sometime back. Although I do not have a good relationship with my father, I myself hope to be a good father when my turn comes around. Whether we are religious or not, I feel that there are many things we could learn from this sermon. I am not religious but even so I feel that there is many that we can learn from religions the world over.


When God revealed himself to us, he did so through a family.
Which is why i speak to you of Joseph, the forgotten man of the Christmas Story.
We know much about Mary, and the Christ child but the Bible makes few references into the life of Joseph
Therefore, he remains somewhat of a mystery, much as many of our own fathers do.
But, we do know that Joseph was a gentle father and a courageous man.
He saved his family from hurt by taking them on a dangerous journey to Egypt.
Taught his son his own trade, as fathers do even today.
Joseph died before Jesus grew up to become a man and begin his ministry.
Yet, Joseph still belived,
"Blessed are those who believe that he will find the broken-hearted and free the captives"
At his best, a father is the solid foundation of a house, his support taken for granted.
At other times, he may need shoring up himself.
He may be tired, he may be impatient, he may be mad at his own problems.
But always, the father looks beyond the here and now.
He keeps one eye trained on the next generation.
So, as a necessity, he is a man filled with hope.
Hope that a knowing god watches over the univese.
Hope that justice will prevail.
Hope that we will be reunited with our loved ones.
As Saint Paul said, abide by these three: Faith, Hope & Love.
The greatest of these is Love.
So when we give thanks to the father for our blessings, let us not forget Joseph or our own fathers.
That they not be forgottened this Christmas.

Day 038