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Father is a verb. In this first episode of a three-part series, a collaboration between Manned Up Conversations and the Jesuit Institute South Africa growing out of the Living Theology workshops, Kgaugelo Habyane sits down with Jesuit scripture scholar Fr. David Neuhaus SJ to ask what it means to be a father when the word itself is complicated.

For many men, addressing God as "Father" in the Our Father is complicated by a father who was absent, cold, or wounding. We explore that sacred friction and reread the Genesis creation stories, where, Fr. David points out, there is no primacy of male over female. Instead of the nouns and titles we argue over, they look at what God actually does: creating, forming, breathing into, feeding, waiting, running, and pouring oil on wounds.

Along the way we relfect on Rembrandt's painting of the compassionate father and the two hands resting on the returning son. We explore the Greek word for compassion, which points to the gut, and at Abraham as a giant of faith and a deeply flawed father. We conclude with Saint Joseph, the father who isn't a biological father, as the model of fatherhood as a vocation and a mission rather than a biological fact.

Fathering is something you answer and practise, and men without a father or a family can still receive it and give it. A conversation for fathers, stepfathers, mentors, and any man wondering what it means to step in.

Episode highlights

Introduction & The Meaning of 'David'

The "Our Father" Crisis & Broken Families in Scripture

Masculine Language & Verbs Over Nouns

Rembrandt’s Painting & The Compassionate Father

Abraham & Embracing Biblical Complexity

Gut Compassion ( Splanknizomai ) & The Good Samaritan

Genesis Creation Reframed: 'Adam' & Relational Equality

 Saint Joseph & Fatherhood as a Sacred Vocation

RESOURCES & LINKS

Jesuit Institute South Africa: jesuitinstitute.org.za

Workshop Information: To learn more about bringing the Living Theology: Our Father? Shadow of the father workshops to your parish or community, contact the Jesuit Institute South Africa here retreats@jesuitinstitute.org.za

Hope you are enjoying the conversation so far. 

Remember to take note of things that stand out to you while listening and take a moment to reflect in your own time or discuss this with some friends over some drinks, a meal or relaxing activity of your choice. 
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