Images of the Father

CatholicExchange.com ^ | 10-29-05 | Fr. Paul Scalia

[Salvation]

by Fr. Paul Scalia

Other Articles by Fr. Paul Scalia

Images of the Father

10/29/05

"Call no one on earth your father" (Mt 23:9). You might think that we priests — "fathers" — feel a little awkward every time we read these words. But not really. Because we are not to understand them in a slavishly literal sense.

Our Lord does not mean that the word "father" can never be used in reference to men on earth. After all, Scripture itself contains such references (cf. Heb 12:7-11; 1 Cor 4:15). So our Lord must be doing something other than restricting our vocabulary. Indeed, He is using hyperbole to capture our attention. Then He speaks a fundamental truth: "[Y]ou have but one Father in heaven" (Mt 23:9). Far from eliminating earthly fatherhood, He points us to its ultimate source and meaning — God Himself.

An analogy exists between earthly fathers and our heavenly Father. But we tend to confuse that analogy. We observe that certain men are fathers, and then conclude that God as "Father" must be like them. But the opposite is true. God is the true Father. His Fatherhood exists in eternity. Before the creation of the heavens and the earth, He is already the Father of the Son. Before a child ever spoke the word "Daddy," God’s Fatherhood already exists. God is not "like" a father. He is the only perfect and true father. "No one is father as God is Father" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 239). A man, therefore, is "father" only to the extent that he is an image of God the Father. Among other things, this means that a man’s fatherhood must be spiritual, eternal and loving — like God’s.

First, fatherhood is spiritual. Fatherhood exists in eternity, prior to material things. It is the Father’s spiritual generation of the Son. For earthly fathers, this demands a spiritual concern for their children — for their souls and salvation. It takes great effort and self-sacrifice to teach children to pray, to instruct them in the faith and to bring them to the sacraments. Nevertheless, to bear the title "father" means to occupy oneself with these spiritual tasks — for the salvation of souls.

Second, fatherhood is eternal. The First Person of the Trinity was, is, and will be the Father of the Son. His Fatherhood will never cease. Nor will He ever cease, through the Son, to be our Father as well. To be His faithful images, therefore, earthly fathers must communicate to their children that their fatherly love will not — cannot — end. There is no such thing as conditional fatherhood. Children must know that no matter how far away they may be — spiritually, emotionally, geographically — they always have a father.

Finally, fatherhood is loving. The Trinity, that perfect community of love, begins with the Father. He is the principle and source of all divinity and therefore the beginning of love itself. Thus, as one spiritual writer put it, "To be father is to take the initiative in love." Again, this truth is first taught and learned in the family. A father has many tasks — to provide, protect, instruct, discipline and correct. But his most important task, and the one that gives meaning to all others, is to establish the family as a community of love — to take the initiative in love.

Blessed Pope John XXIII once stated, "Within the family, the father stands in God's place." This is not cause for boasting or arrogance, but for humility and even fear. It means that a father has the task of being God the Father’s image, and he will be judged on that basis. We have but one Father, in heaven. Yet He has given us many images, men with the mission of "revealing and reliving on earth the very fatherhood of God" (John Paul II). Let us pray for these men, that God will make them faithful images.


Fr. Scalia is parochial vicar of St. Rita parish in Alexandria, Virginia.

(This article courtesy of the Arlington Catholic Herald.)

[Salvation]

For further discussion.

[Salvation]

Catholic Discussion Ping!

Please notify me via FReepmail if you would like to be added to or taken off the Catholic Discussion Ping List.

[Appalled but Not Surprised]

I daresay Fr. Scalia's vision of "father" wears a black robe, wields a gavel and writes some killer dissents.... :0)

[Salvation]

I think Judge Scalia is related, but I'm not sure just how.

[Salvation]

Oops, that should have been Justice Scalia.

[Salvation]

Note the message to priests in today's (Sunday's) First Reading:

Reading I
Mal 1:14b-2:2b, 8-10

A great King am I, says the LORD of hosts,
and my name will be feared among the nations.
And now, O priests, this commandment is for you:
If you do not listen,
if you do not lay it to heart,
to give glory to my name, says the LORD of hosts,
I will send a curse upon you
and of your blessing I will make a curse.
You have turned aside from the way,
and have caused many to falter by your instruction;
you have made void the covenant of Levi,
says the LORD of hosts.
I, therefore, have made you contemptible
and base before all the people,
since you do not keep my ways,
but show partiality in your decisions.
Have we not all the one father?
Has not the one God created us?
Why then do we break faith with one another,
violating the covenant of our fathers?

[NeoCaveman]

I think Judge Scalia is related, but I'm not sure just how.

Justice Antonin Scalia calls one of his sons father.

[Ciexyz]

Faith-sharing bump.

[Ciexyz]

You should make a note to repost this on Father's Day!

[Appalled but Not Surprised]

Justice Antonin Scalia calls one of his sons father.
>>>

Ah, but is he his own grampaw? :0)

[Salvation]

I knew there was some connection!

[NeoCaveman]

Ah, but is he his own grampaw? :0)

No. The whole vow of celibacy takes care of that :D

[Salvation]

I notice your list -- I think Bush will nominate McConnell.

[NeoCaveman]

I knew there was some connection!

Last I heard, Father Scalia, the son of Justice Scalia, says the traditional Latin Mass at Old St. Mary's in D.C. I've never made it down there for that Mass when I have been in D.C.

[NeoCaveman]

I notice your list -- I think Bush will nominate McConnell.

I like McConnell, but I just don't believe this is his spot. If Stevens were to croak I'd be betting on McConnell for that spot.

[Salvation]

That could happen!

[NeoCaveman]

That could happen!

I pray for it. I hope that isn't wrong.

Techinally, I pray for conversion of wrong doers and I then I throw in, if they won't repent, then...well, you know.

[NeoCaveman]

McConnell.

If Bush picks McConnell I will be disappointed, not because he isn't great, he is, but because he will have exausted his two "easy nomination" picks. And left nothing for a possible third pick.

[sanormal]

Indeed, Fr. Paul is the son of the Associate Justice and while in seminary was in part responsible for the reversion of Justice Thomas.

[Salvation]

That is astounding! Thanks for the info.