A classmate of mine tells a story from his younger, wilder days. He was caught shoplifting. He was arrested and put into jail, and had to call his father to pick him up. He dreaded that prospect, because his father had to leave his job, drive from North County to the city. His father posted the bail, and they began the long drive back to home. It was a silent drive for what seemed like an eternity. And Tim* (not his real name) was 'waiting for it." Finally, his dad spoke. "Son, if you ever want anything that badly in your life again that you would steal for it, let me and your mother know. We'll sacrifice, work extra hours, - do whatever. Let us take care of it for you."

And that is all that his father ever said. Ever. I knew Tim's dad to be a holy man because of that incident. As I have reflected on that story - I realize how difficult it must have been for him - not to condemn, lecture, take the opportunity to make Tim 'suffer' - all the normal reactions that you and I might have in such a situation. Instead, he offered mercy. He gave an even greater offering of his love for his child. Instead he redoubled HIS efforts to love his son. He chose the Godly thing to do - the Fatherly gift of giving even in the face of rejection.

What does a Father's love look like? "It is precisely in this that God proves his love for us - that while we were sinners, Christ died for us..." The good news of today's readings is that we have a God who is willing to be that kind of Father to us. We have a God, who takes pity on us. In the gospel we hear: "At the sight of the crowds - the heart of Jesus was moved with pity." And pity in the gospels is a combination of sentiment and action. Not just one, but both feeling and action.. That is the response of our God to us - to recognize our need and to be moved to respond. And so Jesus asks his father for laborers to the harvest, and appoints the 12 as the beginning of that task. "..The harvest is good, but the laborers are scarce..." And he sends out laborers after his own heart. "Tell them -"The reign of God is at hand - and remember - (in the older translation of Matthew): the gift you have received as a gift - give as a gift...."

Tim said he never had been so profoundly moved and so profoundly aware of the love of God for him than in that moment. And Tim this day is a priest in part because 'the gift that he received as a gift - he has learned to pass on.

And so, for you and I - on this Father's day, how can we live into this gospel? I propose three ways among many:

1) Beg the Lord of the harvest for laborers in the field. In a special way the church has understood that to mean vocations to the priesthood and religious life - and as a former vocation director - I certainly support that. But as you pray that - know that you are praying for yourself as well - that you be willing to 'be sent' -to be a gatherer of the harvest as well.

2) To those who are Father's among us - will you pray to have the heart of Jesus. "Pity" is certainly not a 'stereotypical masculine virtue" - but it is so evident in the heart of Jesus and his God. And pity takes the work of awareness and compassion - to see and to act on behalf of the other. How will you see and act in your own family this week? - I challenge you to do it with the heart of Jesus.

3) For all of us - "The gift you have received as a gift - give as a gift." We may have different experiences of 'Fatherly love" from our biological father/ from step fathers/ etc - but it is still the same God who fathers us (and mothers us) into life. If you looked over your life's journey and had to say what 'gift' has been given to you - what would you answer? And will you give that away?

The good news - we have a God who is moved with pity toward us. Might we all come to know that God - who comes to us in this Eucharist.