Now I Get It**
I've been a dad for a whopping 13 days, so I'm certainly not hoping for a coherent, let alone poetic essay on fatherhood here. Words, of course, do not suffice. However, I'll share a few thoughts...
What's in a name?
First, the obvious: a saint for our generation and arguably the "Man of the 20th Century," pictured above. Pope John Paul II's writings have been instrumental in revealing to this little guy's parents the way, the truth, and the life in Jesus Christ. Also, entering the Archdiocese of Denver has special meaning because the Church here has greatly benefited from an active presence of the Holy Spirit, left in the wake of the historic 1993 World Youth Day visit by the now "Venerable John Paul the Great."
In the O'Connor family, the name 'John' now goes back five generations: John Paul Lee, Ryan John, Glen John, John Russell, and John S.
'Lee' carries special meaning on both sides: his maternal grandpa Chet Lee, and a paternal great-grandmother Lee.
I've heard Scott Hahn talk many times about how his understanding of God reached a much deeper level after having kids. My friend Joe has said that with having a child comes a type of love welling up inside that you previously didn't know existed. All I can say is, I concur.
How can this little creature throw up down my back or pee on my face, and I just smile, stare, and gently say, "That's ok buddy?" So too, how many times do I "throw up" on God and it does nothing to change his unconditional love for me?
Not that we've had to discipline our 2-week-old, but teaching has shed light on how God disciplines us. My students can whine about too much homework or express outrage over having to miss recess or show their work on math problems, but some day they will understand that it was for their own good. How many times have I complained to God about a challenge in life or about His "unfair" laws and disciplines disseminated through His Church? When will I learn that it's for my own good?
Today is the Feast Day of Sts. Joachim and Ann (parents of Mary/grandparents of Jesus). In my Magnificat prayer book, it says this memorial "gives reason to rejoice in the gift of family life and to reflect on the mutual responsibility parents and children have to love one another and lead one another to holiness." Now I get it.**
The Second Vatican Council Fathers said, "The family is the foundation of society. In it the various generations come together and help one another to grow wise and to harmonize personal rights with the other requirements of social life" (Gaudium et Spes, 52). Our life is not all about us now. Forget a full-night's sleep! Now I get it.**
Venerable Pope John Paul II said, "The body, in fact, and it alone is capable of making visible what is invisible: the spiritual and divine. It was created to transfer into the visible reality of the world, the mystery hidden since time immemorial in God..." (Theology of the Body, 2/20/80). Our miraculous son makes the mystery of God a visible reality. Now I get it.**
The Catechism of the Catholic Church says, "God has revealed his innermost secret: God himself is an eternal exchange of love, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and he has destined us to share in that exchange" (CCC 221). So, the exchange of love between Father and Son (signified by husband and wife) is so intense that from it a third person proceeds forth. Family life is a participation in the life of the Trinity! Now I get it.**
St. Paul said, "'For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.' This is a great mystery, and I mean in reference to Christ and the church" (Eph. 5:31-32). So, Christ is the bridegroom and we (the Church) are his bride. We share a one-flesh union via the Eucharist. The marriage took place when the Church poured forth from Christ's side (like Eve came from Adam's side). This occurred from the cross... which granted true beauty and life via an agonizing bloody mess. So is childbirth! True love = the cross. Now I get it.** (btw, Sarah is my hero.)
Jesus said, "Love one another as I have loved you" (Jn 13:31). A love that is free, total, faithful, and fruitful.
Thank you little J.P. Now I get it.**
Mother Mary , St. Joseph, St. Joachim, St. Ann, and Venerable John Paul the Great... Pray for us!
**Footnote: ...at least more than I "got it" two weeks ago! (not claiming to have the whole "mystery of God" thing figured out.)
Your words should echo in the ears of all pops. Thanks for your blog ROC. Keep the faith and keep us all posted as time allows.
I like the name and respect it's significance in your family...but... i was hopeful that you would have stuck with your original idea...(selfish athlete that I am...) I gotta tell you that zzzambrano was not pleased with the "lee" part of the name...but...he needs to develop as a man... and disappointment helps us all grow...
It is easy for a father to have children than for children to have a real father. ~Pope John XXIII
My father used to play with my brother and me in the yard. Mother would come out and say, "You're tearing up the grass." "We're not raising grass," Dad would reply. "We're raising boys." ~Harmon Killebrew
Reply to this
Thanks Starlin. You can blame my wife for not using your name. If Derek Lee wasn't hitting .250, I might give him some credit on the name... but with this season forget it!
Reply to this
ROC, Pope John XXIII was one of the most popular Papa's (as we say in my native tongue down in the DR) in the history of the church. His reign from 58 to 63 were great years...
But I digress, although he is wonderful let me give you some other papal quotes that have helped me along the way...
.
“Somebody should tell us, right at the start of our lives, that we are dying. Then we might live life to the limit, every minute of every day. Do it! I say. Whatever you want to do, do it now! There are only so many tomorrows.”
Pope Paul VI
“If someone had told me I would be Pope one day, I would have studied harder”
Pope John Paul I
Are you going to be able to break away next week and give a tour of your school, town and introduce my buddy, Minnesota Fats, to JP?
BTW, D Lee did not appreciate your lack of love.
Reply to this
Ryan,
I'm not much into "stalking" your website all the time but I noticed you had put it on Facebook where I maintain most of my "stalking."
I never got to thank you for the CD you gave me at the end of the school year by Christopher West. It was amazing and after reading your post, going to marriage class, and listening to his (West's) CD. I can say that I "get it".
Obviously in reference to marriage, but thank you for your beautiful post and faith in me to listen to His words in my life and upcoming life.
Reply to this
yo, dawg- ROC, Just because you are a new father and school is about to start doesn't mean you can leave the cyber world without frequent updates. Today is like a month if my math doesn't fail me, and as such, an update would be more than appropriate...
1. thoughts of a new father.
2. wisdom garnered in the first weeks.
3. changing and how it changes perspective.
amongst others. We in the midwest wonder.
Your fans in vikingland.
Reply to this