Fathers’ Day is a great day. We celebrate by giving special love and gifts to our fathers. We have cookouts, go to a favorite restaurant, play sports, and reminisce. We remember those fathers who are no longer living. All good things to celebrate fatherhood. When we reflect on Jesus’ teaching, we also realize how hard it is to be a father and what expectations we as children have of our fathers.
And (Jesus) said to them, “Which of you who has a friend will go to him at midnight and say to him, ‘Friend, lend me three loaves, for a friend of mine has arrived on a journey, and I have nothing to set before him’; and he will answer from within, ‘Do not bother me; the door is now shut, and my children are with me in bed. I cannot get up and give you anything’? I tell you, though he will not get up and give him anything because he is his friend, yet because of his impudence he will rise and give him whatever he needs. And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
Jesus used these words to teach his disciples about God after one of them asked Him to teach them to pray. We recite this prayer every Sunday in worship – “Our Father”. He tells in these few verses what we should expect from our father, in human terms. As it is Fathers’ Day it seems the right time to reflect on that. It is so easy to fall into the trap of need versus want. Just think of these lyrics from Janis Joplin – “Oh Lord, won’t your buy me a Mercedes Benz? My friends all drive Porsches, I must make amends.”
Have a wonderful celebration of Fatherhood. Remembering that we are children of the heavenly Father and should be remembering and celebrating this today as well – and every day. Ask, Seek and Knock. He is waiting.
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