Let me tell you the story of two fathers. You decide which one is the better father.

The first man fell in love with his future wife while they were in the last year of grad school. After graduation, they became engaged and were married in the Church. They both instantly became busy with their careers. After several years, they decided to start a family and a beautiful son was born.

The second man was barely old enough to be called a man. He was a freshman in college when he became infatuated with a pretty, young coed on campus. One night after a party, they were overcome by lust and had relations outside of marriage. Eight weeks later, he was devastated when she told him she was pregnant. They decided to keep the baby and seven months later a beautiful son was born.

Who is the better father?

A few years go by and the first father is doing quite well for himself in his career. His work responsibilities are so great that they consume most of his waking hours. He and his wife decide that his salary is enough and since he is gone all the time, she will stay home to raise their son. The man secretly misses the carefree lifestyle they had when they were first married, and even realizes that he is a little jealous of the time and attention his wife gives to their son.

Our second father and the mother of his child both realized that they were not meant to be married, but they committed themselves to working together to raise their child as best they could. The young father toned down his partying ways and hit the books and started getting good grades. He also took a part-time job so he could afford to pay his child support. And he arranged his school and work schedules so he would never miss a visitation with his son.

Who is the better father?

My goodness, is it time for the two sons to begin school already? Our first father is very successful and earning plenty of money so they decide to put their son in the Catholic school. His job is so demanding, and with the wife and kid and all, Sunday mornings is about the only time he has to do something he enjoys; go golfing with his buddies.

It took a little longer to get through school, but our second father’s hard work has paid off and he is beginning his career in an entry level position. He comes to appreciate the support and love both he and the mother of his child received from their parents in helping them get through these past five years. He begins to realize how important it is for his son to see him as a good example of how to be a man. He knows he cannot do this alone, and recommits himself to God and to practicing his Catholic faith. After talking with his priest about his situation, he makes a good confession. On the weekends he has his son, they never miss the opportunity to attend Mass together. He wishes he could afford the Catholic school tuition for his son, but between his student loans and child support that just seems impossible.

Who is the better father?

Eighteen years have gone by so quickly, and the first son receives his invitation to the parish senior Mass. He doesn’t really want to go, but his Mom says he should, so to keep her happy he agrees. He asks her if his father will be able to make it. His mother says, “Honey, you know that your Dad is playing in the big scramble at the Club on Sunday. But, I’ll make sure he is on time for your graduation next Sunday.”

Eighteen years have gone by so quickly, and the second son receives his invitation to the parish senior Mass. He has talked with his friends from Life Teen and they all are looking forward to the Mass and hanging out together afterwards. His Mom says, “Son, text your Father and let him know about your senior Mass and see if they can make it.” “Of course, your stepmother and I will be there. We wouldn’t miss it for the world” his father replies. After the reception, the son asks his mother and stepfather if he can go with his friends. She says “it’s okay with me if it’s okay with your father.” And the son asks, “Dad?” And his father says “sure son, we’ll see you later at home.”

Who is the better father?

To our young men here today, I would say that your opportunity to be a good father begins with the good choices you make today and it is over before you know it. It is important to do the right things right away. But fatherhood is a marathon, not a sprint. And your best example of a good father; regardless of which Dad from our story is yours, is God the Father and His love for His Son Jesus Christ.

God the Father loves us unconditionally, and when we are truly sorry He is always ready to forgive us through the Sacrament of Reconciliation. You can learn too from the example of Jesus the Bridegroom’s love for His Bride the Church. He is ever faithful until the end of time, and loves us His Church so much that He laid down His life for us. This is how we as husbands are to treat our brides.

You will never go wrong when you look to the Father and the Son, and learn from Holy Mother Church how to be a good Christian man, husband and father. When you do this, you will give your children the only gift that is truly important.