“The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother” – Theodore Hesburgh
Marriage is the foundation of the family. Children need this solid foundation more than anything else a parent can give them. That is why divorce and children outside of marriage are some of the greatest tragedies. And that undoubtedly explains the extremely high correlation between the relationship of our parents and the level of hardship we face in our life.
Just about every major social problem we have has at least one correlative factor in common: broken homes. That is not to say there aren’t plenty of exceptions. But it’s an obvious factor. And I firmly believe it is the most important factor of all.
“The family is the first essential cell of human society.” – Pope John XXIII
“As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live.” – John Paul II
If we have broken families then we have a broken society.
Unfortunately, we live in a culture that increasingly believes divorce is no big deal. And believes that sex and children outside of a marriage bond is just fine for the children. And at the root we have a sentiment that “spouses may come and go, but I will always love my children.”
But your children need you and your spouse. That is why your marriage and your love for each other is the most important thing you can focus on. For a married person, it’s your first vocation in life. It comes even before loving your kids. You love your kids most by loving each other first. That is what ensures a safe and solid environment for your children to grow within.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
I know too many broken families. Too much “me” I’m these relationships.
I have a relative who gave this invincibly ignorant answer when I told her that it was not good for her children and three of her children’s children to not have a father. She replied, “They have a father.” Well, physically, that’s all. Not in the house. Not in being married to their mother. Her attitude is very common, sad to say.
And our response to these victims of broken homes? Love, always love. Love to help replace what’s lost. Love to demonstrate that there is love in the world, from the Father of us all, that can more than compensate for an absent biological father. Never, ever scorn or derision or a condescending tone that their “otherness” makes them less. A good faith life and a strong catholic education do wonders for the children of broken homes. We are the spiritual aunts and uncles of the children of our brothers and sisters in Christ. We do the Lord’s will when we bring the little one’s to him by showering them with the love He graces us with.
Found this link on your fatherhood video, great post! Too much selfishness in the world today is leading to the downfall of happy families and marriages.
I don’t know if you take book recomendations but here is one that has changed me. Father, The Family Protector by James stenson is a great book by a good Catholic man.
Excellent post! I was just discussing this a few weeks ago with my fiancée; we have both agreed that our lives are going to be directed towards: God, each other, our children, then everyone else.
{ 2 trackbacks }