tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post8730879410839020618..comments2024-02-09T02:48:13.776-06:00Comments on Daily Meditations with Fr. Alfonse: Mk 4:26-34 Plant Seeds, Pull WeedsFr. Alfonsehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02557206560119402976noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-35239441910830122352012-06-18T12:14:28.312-05:002012-06-18T12:14:28.312-05:00Dear Anonymous,
Thank-you for your comment. I he...Dear Anonymous,<br /><br />Thank-you for your comment. I heard Father's homily at St. Monica. It brought me to tears. Nothing worse than sobbing around a bunch of strangers..... <br /><br />I was raised with no Father in my life. My parents divorced when I was very young. I reunited with my father 12 years ago thinking we could rekindle our relationship. Of course, it was ill-lasting. I recently found out my Father is on his 4th marriage. He filed for bankruptcy, swindling my poor grandfather out of his home and retirement savings. I think in many ways it was a blessing I didn't have this rotten role model in my life. I know of many children with "whole" families (mother and father) who are absolutely miserable.<br /><br />As a result of no father figure, I've struggled with anxiety and depression throughout my life. I've never managed to hold down a healthy dating relationship. I tend to choose "loser" men. I'm quick to allow a man to use me because I feel like I don't deserve any better. The lack of self-esteem still affects me to this day even though I'm educated, financially independent, and deeply devoted to the Catholic faith. I'm glad I'm not one of those statistics so prevalent with father-less daughters - poverty, teenage pregnancy, and abuse. I've tried my best to be a good, kind, Christian woman despite coming from a fatherless household.<br /><br />Blessings,<br /><br />-JenniferJennifer B.https://www.blogger.com/profile/15338737502809429613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-51152611186163602942012-06-18T11:23:51.367-05:002012-06-18T11:23:51.367-05:00Some will say that this is a negative statement on...Some will say that this is a negative statement on a day that honors fathers. But it is a reality that is rampant that men need to consider when they become fathers or plan to become fathers.<br /><br />Being a good, loving, nurturing, available, affirming, sacrificial father is the most important job/role a man can have. It is as important as being a mother.<br /><br />The fathering that one receives affects every person’s whole life on earth as well as in eternity. I include eternity because a person’s actions and choices are what lead them in one direction or another. Ignorance may lessen their culpability, but…<br /><br />It may also be the most neglected job/role in our community which causes the most damage to our whole society/world. I know that sounds extreme, but it is.<br /><br />I wonder how many people in prison had healthy, nurturing, and loving....fathers growing up.<br /><br />I believe so much of the evil and pain and dysfunction in this country could be avoided if men took fathering seriously and made it the priority in their lives.<br /><br />Unhealthy, absent and neglectful fathering can cause a lifetime of suffering for their offspring and have serious consequences. Some of them include homosexuality, promiscuity, unhealthy and unsafe relationships with men, especially men in authority like teachers, coaches, priests……. It can makes one vulnerable to predators, self-abuse and abuse of others, addictions, self-hatred and feelings of worthlessness and the list goes on. There are even consequences to the consequences like violence, jail, std's, mental illness, physical illness, suicide and much much more. <br /><br />On the flip side some mask their pain and suffering and become so driven to be ‘successful’ to prove their own value that they neglect their own families which continues the cycle.<br /><br />I’m not saying fathers need to be perfect. They just need to take care of their responsibility and admit if they lack the skills because of their own upbringing and get help.<br /><br />Take an honest look around you. I know first hand.<br /><br />Good, healthy fathers do the opposite.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-439331035718369167.post-47035441216713920312012-06-17T21:22:11.716-05:002012-06-17T21:22:11.716-05:00You might be interested in my weed out hate initia...You might be interested in my weed out hate initiative:<br /><br />www.weedouthate.orgAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00794681717849260676noreply@blogger.com