Episode 34 - Men are Called (Part 2) - Becoming the Father

Jake and Brett, joined again by their friend and ally Sean O’Brien, continue a three part series unpacking a powerful homily given by Fr. Joe Fitzgerald at the Men’s Retreat in September 2019.

Key Points

• The second part of the homily is about the Father’s love

• Fr. Joe shows a move clip of a commercial with a father and a son (see link below in the Resources section)

• We can identity with both sons in the prodigal son story

• We are called to become the Father

• We can have false images of God the Father

• We are all called into an ongoing conversion of heart where we see the Father as He truly is, not as we assume He is

• Having our image and impression of God healed is a core journey of heart for men

• We can encounter God the Father through other good men who are good fathers

• We can invite people into what brings us joy and share that with them

• The story of the prodigal son might be the greatest story ever told

• A possible way to articulate the journey of Christianity is from obligation and tradition (OT) to encounter and relationship (ER)

• Reflecting on the gaze of the Father is very good but can also be uncomfortable

Discussion Questions

• What struck you from this episode?

• What struck you about the TV commercial Fr. Joe referenced?

• What is your image or picture of God the Father?

• What do I love to do that brings me joy? How could I shared that with others?

• What comes up for you when you consider the gaze of Father toward you?

• How did Sean’s story about looking at his son at school impact you?

• What might that reveal about your comfort level with intimacy with God?

Resources

• Bouygues Christmas 2018 Video clip

• “What father among you, if his son asks for a fish, will instead of a fish give him a serpent; or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then…know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:11-13)

• “...unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matt 18:3)