Series: Good News
Trinity I
FATHERS DAY - Third Sunday in June
Today, third Sunday in June is Father’s Day. On this day, we celebrate, honor and thank fathers and father figures (uncles, grandfathers, Priests) for the sacrifices they make, for embracing the responsibility of nurturing and raising children, and for devotion to their families.
The Bible shows a Father as the head of the family, the ruler, and provider, and one who trains his children in the fear of God - Prov. 22:6.
Being a Father is great responsibility it takes more than just bringing children into the world. Children when they are grown will still need their parents in many ways.
Fathers are not very patient today with their children we expect them to know everything we want them to do. We sometimes forget how long it took us to master the things we know. Eph. 6:4…fathers provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
A good thing to teach your children is to love God (Deut. 6: 5ff) and their neighbours. Express love to them. Don’t just say well they know I love them and expect that to take the place of a hug or a kind word or just saying I love you.
A lot of sons follow in the footsteps of their fathers, while some stray from the teachings of their father. Sometimes that is good, if the Father is not exhibiting right Christian living, but could spell danger if the Father is living a righteous life.
The greatest responsibility of parents is to lead our children to the kingdom of heaven.
The first known Father’s Day service occurred in Fairmont, West Virginia, United States on July 5, 1908, after hundreds of men died in the worst mining accident in U.S. history. The Sunday service happened because of the efforts of Grace Golden Clayton, the daughter of a dedicated reverend.
Mrs. Clayton wanted to honor the many fathers who had died in the mining explosion, which killed more than 360 men and boys, and left about 1,000 children fatherless. Although the Fairmont service was the first known to honor fathers, it did not turn into an annual event.
Mrs. Sonora Smart Dodd is credited for being the one to popularize Father’s Day.
Her father, William Smart, had raised his SIX children alone on his farm in Washington after his wife died giving birth. The idea received strong support. Thereafter, the first Father’s Day in Spokane, Washington, was observed on June 19, 1910 (the third Sunday in June) and became an annual event there.
In spite of widespread support, Father’s Day did not become a permanent national holiday for many years. Finally, in 1972, President Richard Nixon US President signed a law declaring that Father’s Day be celebrated annually on the third Sunday in June. It has been an official, permanent national holiday ever since.
Love a father today. Happy Father’s Day!
Your Vicar and Friend
The Venerable Kiri Wakama
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