[NOTE: this is a re-post from previous years, with some modifications]
“It is not flesh and blood, but heart which makes us fathers and sons.” ~ Friedrich Schiller (1759-1805)
Happy Father’s Day. Hmmm… while I appreciate the concept, perhaps this is less about celebrating men who father children (flesh and blood) and/or raise children and more about recognizing men who are wonderful examples to children
So… maybe this year we can say “Happy MaRoMo** Day!” to all the important guys in our lives?
Not quite as catchy, is it?
Most of us have life blessings which include a multitude of positive male role models – dad, brothers, uncles, cousins and/or several other male family members, teachers, ministers, work colleagues and friends. Thinking of good MaRoMo examples, Jesus has certainly been an important one.
What positive characteristics come to your mind when thinking of Jesus? JOY is one for me, perhaps helped along from my reading of the book JESUS Man of Joy, including this description
“Jesus smiled wider and laughed heartier than any human being who has ever walked the planet. He was young. He radiated good cheer. The real Jesus was a man of such merriment, such gladness of heart, such freedom and openness, that he proved irresistible. He became known through Galilee for his genuine strength, sparkle in His eyes, the spring in His gait, the heartiness in His laugh, the genuineness of His touch; his passion, playfulness, excitement, and vitality: His JOY! He made a dazzling display of love. He set hearts afire. He was an elated, triumphant young man with an incredible quality of life.”
~ JESUS Man of Joy by Sherwood E. Wirt, p.22
Wirt continues with some action-oriented thinking
“We ourselves may also express the joy of the Lord in smiles and laughter and good cheer, but those are not the only ways. We participate in his joy through acts of worship, praise, prayer, and song, in witnessing to the saving grace of God and in helping others.” – – JESUS Man of Joy p.22
May each of us – male and female – find some Christ-like behaviors to model for our world on this Happy MaRoMo Day and in the years to follow…
POSSIBLE ACTION: Identify some important male role models in your development. Spend some time – – thank God for those folks and possibly send a note, place a call or do some other form of reaching out to those still with us in mortal form…
Enjoy the day, filled with the Spirit!
HUMOR
- Christian Playbook humor links – updated on 6/19
PRAYER OPPORTUNITIES:
- For People Critically Ill, or Facing Great Uncertainty (bottom of first page shown HERE)
- Celtic Daily Prayer
- CP Prayer Page – containing LOADS of possibilities…
Lectionary Texts for Sunday, June 21, 2020:
- Genesis 21:8-21 and Psalm 86:1-10, 16-17
- Jeremiah 20:7-13 and Psalm 69:7-10, (11-15), 16-18
- Romans 6:1b-11
- Matthew 10:24-39
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