deny God's feminine traits or nurturing ability, but to imitate Christ and literally pray in the name of the Son ~ "in Jesus' name" ~ when we call upon God. Fatherhood is about the ability to exercise power to beget life, provide for that life, and protect that life. Without power, fatherhood is impossible. A man who is incapable of begetting children is called "im-potent" which literally means "without potency" or without power. But impotency is not just a physical reality. For a man who physically begets children, but is unwilling or unable to raise and provide for those children, is also impotent. For example, while technically an adult, he may be emotionally stuck in adolescence. This emotional impotency makes him incapable of making commitments. When he says he needs a woman in his life, he really means a mother to "take care of him!"

There is also spiritual impotence. Jesus once said "I am the vine; you are the branches" (John 15:5). A man disconnected from Christ is incapable of leading his children to God. Even if he can speak intelligibly about God, his words cannot be translated into practice. This applies both to biological fathers as well as spiritual ~ such as priests and bishops. In the Gospel today Jesus says, "Fear no one" for your heavenly Father has got your back! May your earthly one have it as well!