By Fr. Justin Fulton
Dads show us how to work, protect, sacrifice, pray for, provide for, discipline, and love.
They do things for us visible and invisible. Because of love they cry, internally and externally. They care for us, nourish us, fix for us, teach for us, mentor for us, protect us and love us. They show us how to live greatly.
Yet, we know a dad’s love for his children is only a shadow of the Heavenly Father’s love for all of His children.
When I was ordained on May 23, 2015, I reckon the first person I gave Holy Communion to was my dad. I can think of no better way to thank my dad for all that he has done for me—seen and unseen—than to give him our Savior’s Body and Blood, Eternal Life, in the Eucharist.
To all of our fathers and grandfathers, both living and Eternally Living, and to our Heavenly Father—words cannot do justice for all that you have done for us. So we simply say two words:
Thank you.
God bless and keep all of our fathers and may our Heavenly Father’s love bring all of them home to Heaven. Amen.
Thank you for your financial and prayerful support of Catholic Social Services of Southern Nebraska.
Friends, I leave you with the lyrics of country singer Holly Dunn’s 1986 masterpiece, “Daddy’s Hands.”
I remember daddy’s hands folded silently in prayer
And reachin’ out to hold me, when I had a nightmare
You could read quite a story in the callouses and lines
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind
I remember daddy’s hands how they held my mama tight
And patted my back for something done right
There are things that I’d forgotten that I loved about the man
But I’ll always remember the love in daddy’s hands
Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands
I remember daddy’s hands workin’ ‘til they bled
Sacrificed unselfishly just to keep us all fed
If I could do things over, I’d live my life again
And never take for granted the love in daddy’s hands
Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands
Daddy’s hands were soft and kind when I was cryin’
Daddy’s hands were hard as steel when I’d done wrong
Daddy’s hands weren’t always gentle but I’ve come to understand
There was always love in daddy’s hands.
