Radiating True Fatherhood

“I cried this morning.  I know that my Father is sad too.  I feel this sadness very much.  Why does it have to be so?”
 
“My child, beloved child.  I cannot spare you tears.  Sometimes, I even wait for them.  Then I wipe them and say, ‘do not cry.’  What remains is to await a new maturity.”  Radiation of Fatherhood, page 19

My Dear Sister,

I write these words as I pray through my own sorrow.   

For weeks, I have wanted to write, but have been unable to do so.  There has been so much written, and so many emotions expressed, that I desired to pray for words of healing in this time.

Our Church is hurting. Christ is hurting. His Bride is hurting. You and I are hurting.  We ache. ​​

​The words I started with are from a play that John Paul II wrote.  He compiled a beautiful piece called, “Radiation of Fatherhood” as he pondered the gift of his own spiritual fatherhood, God’s Fatherhood, and the call of humanity for communion with others.

When I read these words, I felt as though my heart was seen.

Sisters, the news of the scandals hurts in so many ways- and mostly, because, I believe, we feel the loss of fatherhood.  

It is ingrained in us to be in a family- to be raised in relationship.  God calls us to this- and the primary way we experience it is through physical fatherhood in our own fathers.  Our fathers are called to speak God’s Fatherhood to us.  They help us to form an idea of who we are and how we are loved.

The reality is, we have all experienced fallen humanity in this realm.  The reality of what is meant to be often has fallen short.  Many of us have been hurt in our need to be loved by our fathers. 

Sisters, this letter has not been easy for me.  My own wounds- and in fact, the work I do for Behold- are because of struggles I found in a wound by a spiritual father in my own life.  But I have found healing since then in the spiritual fathers God has provided for me, and especially in the perfect Father- God Himself.

In His Word, God says, “But now, thus says the Lord, who created you, Jacob, and formed you Israel.  Do not fear, for I have redeemed you.  I have called you by name.  You are Mine. “  Isaiah 4:3

Cry. Be angry.  Go through the wounds you experience in this time of pain.  Carry this cross.  This is the only way to experience healing and to bring remedy to the others in this trial.  But do so with these words from the Father, “You are Mine." 

You belong to Him.  Walk through this with Him. 

Today, pray with these words of St. John Paul II.  Let it be the conversation of your heart to the Father and have the Father speak to you in return.   Let your Father embrace you, and allow a new maturity of your heart and the heart of the Church to begin.

Be assured of my continued prayers for you, dear Sisters!
 
Love in Christ,
​Katie

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My Dear Sisters, during this trying time, let us pray for all our priests, but especially our faithful priests.  As daughters of the Father, and their daughters as well, they need our prayers.  The actions of men who have been ordained and done these crimes have not spoiled the priesthood, and Christ is still present in so many of our dear spiritual fathers who are so good to us.  Let us pray for their strength and encouragement from us as their daughters during this difficult time.