4th Day of Simbang Gabi 2019

British sprinter Derek Redmond held the British record for the 400 meters’ sprint and won gold medals at the World Championships and European Championships. However, his career was visited by a series of injuries. At the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona, he had qualified for the semifinal of the 400 meters with the fastest time in his heat, he was looking strong when suddenly he pulled up because his hamstring had torn. Rather than crumble to the ground, he continued hobbling toward the finish line. His father ran down to stop him because the former was worried that the latter was going to carry on in pain and such could cause greater damage to his injury. Derek refused. “Well then,” his father said, “we’re going to finish this together.” It was true, both the father and son finished the race.

My dear friends, what made this story special is that it brings into focus not just the fighting spirit of the said athlete but more on the nature of parenthood. Derek’s father supported him and he did not cast doubt on what his son would be able to accomplish despite the physical impossibility on the part of the son. This is made obvious in the message sent by a Canadian athlete to Derek: “Long after the names of the medalists have faded from our minds, you will be remembered for having finished, for having tried so hard, for having a father to demonstrate the strength of his love for his son. I thank you, and I will always remember your race and I will always remember you –the purest, most courageous example of grit and determination I have seen.”

My dear friends, our Gospel (Luke 1: 5-25) tells us about the story of a father named Zechariah. Like St. Joseph, he received a divine message by God through an angel. But unlike St. Joseph, he was not submissive to accept the angel’s message. He was told that he would father a son. Yet, he dared to doubt it saying, “How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years.” For this reason, he was punished by the angel. He was made silent and unable to speak until the day that the message came true. Why Zechariah was punished? It is said that because he doubted that he deserved to be punished. If he doubted the message from God, then how could such a father believe that his son would be a messenger of God? What kind of faith would he pass on to his son? Being a father is not a matter of gender but a quality of parenting he can provide for his son. It is therefore better for him to be silent than to spread his doubt. His doubt, his manner and thought processes might rub off on his son.

Today, we pray for all fathers to learn from the experience of Zechariah. God wants that fathers should raise their children in faith. The primary task of a father is to let his children believe in God the way he believes Him. A father should provide them hope for the future and confidence to face challenges in life believing that everything happens under God’s will and command. Without knowledge of God, children will live with aggression or delinquent. 

Let us also thank God today for all the fathers who discipline their children; those fathers who instill among their children good values. We thank God for fathers who work so hard to provide their children’s daily needs, their food, shelter and clothing. We pray for fathers who untiringly work to support their families, who prioritize their families rather themselves, and who work away from home just to secure their families with a better future. Thereof, may all the fathers of the families always seek the will of God for their children. Amen.