It is easier for a father to have children than for children to have a real father—Pope St. John XXIII.
I often feel completely lost and befuddled as a Catholic father in today’s world.
How do I set the right example?
How do I help my sons grow up with a strong Catholic faith?
How do I prepare them for a culture that often teaches and rewards actions counter to what we believe and how we should live?
One of my frequent daily prayers after I thank Jesus for my wife and children is to ask for help in living up to my vocation as a husband and father.
Do you ever feel this way?
During my prayer time, I often reflect on the example of St. Joseph who is the patron saint of fathers and the best role model we can follow.
What can I learn from this great saint?
I’m not the expert, but it seems that if I follow the example of St. Joseph I have my priorities straight with Christ first, family second, and work third.
A father who emulates St. Joseph spends quality time with his family, not just time.
This man is a role model to his family in living out his Catholic faith and being the light of Christ to others.
This father has joy in his heart and is a man of prayer.
This Catholic dad honors and loves his wife and lifts up the Sacrament of Marriage in the eyes of his children as something special and sacred.
What sort of maxims might this Catholic father, who tries to emulate St. Joseph, follow to stay on the right path?
If we consider what Scripture and the Church teach us, we can look to these four critical rules as our guide.
- Our vocation is to get our families to heaven.
- Our children are always watching us. They will likely model later in life what they learn at home.
- We are made for heaven, not this world. Let’s act accordingly.
- Our children are God’s gift to us. The love and care we show our children is our gift back to Him.
Feeling convicted? Me too. Continue reading
Source
- Randy Hain in The Integrated Catholic Life
Randy Hain is the Senior Editor for the Integrated Catholic Life™ which he co-founded with Deacon Mike Bickerstaff in 2010.