On retreat last summer, I was asked to recite John 10:30 during Mass, the passage states: “The Father and I are one.” I know this is a reference to Jesus and his relationship to G-d, and yet I am drawn to this passage again with my son. We are one, in so many ways, flesh of my flesh, made in love and this reality keeps penetrating my consciousness more each day. We forget that our Christian tradition claims that this oneness with G-d through Jesus is for all of us to see, realize and embody. We can overcomplicate this theology in so many ways, but I keep coming back to the oneness of things. These first 6 months in Liam’s life, or rather 16 months if you count the life in the womb, have been such an experience of joy, grace, exhaustion and a love I have not known. From the infancy days to the playful boy that is emerging now, I am in such awe of his growth and his love. I also want to acknowledge the presence that Mary has been as a mother. It is extraordinary to see the love and care and devotion she has shown to him for these past 16 months and she knows that more than anybody. Thank you Liam Francis for your presence in our lives. You are the teacher, we are the students. I love you and I hope you sleep well on your first Half Birthday!
These words help me cope with the anxieties I feel and prepare for my own experiences as a father. Thank you.
Posts like this brighten up my day. Thanks for tkaing the time.