June 21, 2015: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time B (Father's Day)
June 21, 2015: 12th Sunday in Ordinary Time B (Father's Day)
Click to hear Audio Homily
One father was wondering what to give to his son, Adam, as he was preparing to leave for college. He wanted to provide his son a roadmap knowing that college life can be confusing and turbulent at times. So he decided to jot down few words of counsel on paper and put it in a 3-ring binder. After the father and mother helped him move into his dorm, the father presented Adam with the bound pages. A few days later, Adam called back and said, "Dad, the book is one of the best gifts I've ever received. I'm going to add to it and someday give it to my son." These are some of the advices that were in that binder: Look people in the eye; Say "thank you" a lot; Live beneath your means; Admit your mistakes; Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover; Never underestimate the power of forgiveness; Instead of using the word problem, try substituting the word opportunity; Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I’m sorry’; Call your mother.
So what prompted the dad to provide the book of bits of wisdom and advice to his son? Perhaps he realized the importance his responsibility for teaching and guiding his child. At baptism of his child, a father accepts the responsibility to train the child in the practice faith and to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught.
Our earthly fathers are a reflection of our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father has given us everything we need for this life. The greatest gift is the gift of His Son Jesus who has showed us how to love. Heavenly Father knows that we need a roadmap on this journey of life in order to reach His House called Heaven. He knows that we will face storms and turbulence as the disciples in today’s gospel experienced in the Sea of Galilee. Facing tragedy, or life storms of any kind, can be extremely difficult. But in the midst of storms of despair, suffering, confusion, fear, worry, you can find the hope and courage to go on when you put your trust in Jesus. We may want quick fixes and resolutions during storms of life, and we may forget to hold on to our faith. However as that father said to Adam, when we trust Jesus, we’ll be able to see a problem as an opportunity and we will be able to ride out the storm.
-Fr. Paul Yi
Click to hear Audio Homily
One father was wondering what to give to his son, Adam, as he was preparing to leave for college. He wanted to provide his son a roadmap knowing that college life can be confusing and turbulent at times. So he decided to jot down few words of counsel on paper and put it in a 3-ring binder. After the father and mother helped him move into his dorm, the father presented Adam with the bound pages. A few days later, Adam called back and said, "Dad, the book is one of the best gifts I've ever received. I'm going to add to it and someday give it to my son." These are some of the advices that were in that binder: Look people in the eye; Say "thank you" a lot; Live beneath your means; Admit your mistakes; Give yourself a year and read the Bible cover to cover; Never underestimate the power of forgiveness; Instead of using the word problem, try substituting the word opportunity; Don’t be afraid to say, ‘I’m sorry’; Call your mother.
So what prompted the dad to provide the book of bits of wisdom and advice to his son? Perhaps he realized the importance his responsibility for teaching and guiding his child. At baptism of his child, a father accepts the responsibility to train the child in the practice faith and to keep God’s commandments as Christ taught.
Our earthly fathers are a reflection of our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father has given us everything we need for this life. The greatest gift is the gift of His Son Jesus who has showed us how to love. Heavenly Father knows that we need a roadmap on this journey of life in order to reach His House called Heaven. He knows that we will face storms and turbulence as the disciples in today’s gospel experienced in the Sea of Galilee. Facing tragedy, or life storms of any kind, can be extremely difficult. But in the midst of storms of despair, suffering, confusion, fear, worry, you can find the hope and courage to go on when you put your trust in Jesus. We may want quick fixes and resolutions during storms of life, and we may forget to hold on to our faith. However as that father said to Adam, when we trust Jesus, we’ll be able to see a problem as an opportunity and we will be able to ride out the storm.
-Fr. Paul Yi
