Beyond the Baggage of Fatherhood: A Liturgy for Father's Day

The Bible is an uneasy place to find out about fathers – stories of human failure and frailty abound. Yet Joseph does not abandon Mary when he finds out that she is mysteriously pregnant. Instead, he chooses to stay and raises Jesus as his own son. And Jesus dares to call God ‘Father’. Repeatedly. And describes him as one who is all-loving – and who runs out to embrace us and lead us home.

For some, this is an extraordinary revelation of the heart of God. For others, it is an uncomfortable reality that tests their faith. Yet what if we were to lavish love upon our children as God does? What if fathering has a future beyond the bounds of patriarchal oppression?

Included in the Wild Goose Big Book of Liturgies.