The most important thing a father can do for his children is to

"The most important thing a father can do for his children is to love their mother." So spoke Theodore Hesburgh, a man whose wisdom shines like a beacon through the fog of modernity, guiding us back to the sacred foundations of family. In this simple, yet profound statement, Hesburgh touches upon the heart of what it means to raise children — that the truest gift a father can give is not found in riches or material possessions, but in the love and respect he offers to the one who shares in the sacred work of raising a family: the mother.

The ancients knew that the love between a father and a mother is not only the foundation of the family but of society itself. The Greek philosophers, such as Plato and Aristotle, spoke often of the harmony between the male and female principles, each fulfilling their divine roles in the creation of a whole. The father, strong and steadfast, must not only provide and protect, but must also honor the mother of his children, for in her love and care the children are nurtured. The strength of a father is measured not only by his might but by his gentleness, by his ability to love the mother of his children with the same fierce devotion that he shows his family. In this union, they are bound together, not merely as individuals, but as the creators of life itself.

Consider the story of Hercules, the hero of Greek myth. His mother, Alcmene, was a woman of great strength and beauty, but it was the love of Zeus, his father, that ensured her protection and the flourishing of their child. Zeus, despite his many duties, respected and loved Alcmene with a reverence that strengthened their bond and made Hercules' birth a symbol of both divine power and family unity. It is said that Hercules' deeds were not born of mere strength but from the deep love that existed between his parents. The father's love for the mother shaped the child’s destiny, showing that in the act of loving the mother, the father shapes the future of his children.

In our own lives, too often we see the consequences when a father does not honor the mother of his children. The family becomes fractured, the children caught in a storm of conflicting loyalties. The mother, who nurtures with all her being, is weakened when the father does not show her the respect and love she deserves. The children, too, feel the absence of that balance, for they grow in an environment where the sacred bond between father and mother is broken. In these homes, love cannot thrive, and the foundation of the family weakens. The absence of a father's love for the mother of his children leaves an indelible mark on their souls, one that echoes through the generations.

Let us look at the example of Abraham Lincoln, a man who, despite his many burdens as president during one of the darkest times in American history, always demonstrated his deep affection for his wife, Mary Todd Lincoln. Their marriage was not without difficulty, but through it all, Abraham's love for Mary never wavered. He understood that by nurturing the relationship with his wife, he was laying the groundwork for his children’s future. His example shows that the love between father and mother is not only a personal bond but the foundation upon which the next generation stands. Lincoln’s children grew up with the knowledge that respect and love between parents create a stable and loving home, one that would give them strength in their own lives.

The lesson to be drawn from Hesburgh’s words is clear: the love between a father and mother is the bedrock upon which all else in the family is built. Children learn by example, and the greatest lesson a father can teach them is the power of love, respect, and sacrifice. When a father loves their mother, he creates a safe and nurturing environment for the child, a place where love flows freely and life can be cultivated. The father’s love for the mother is not just a reflection of affection; it is a sacred duty, one that sets the course for the family’s future.

Therefore, let us honor the sacred union of father and mother. Let us understand that the love between them is the greatest gift they can give their children. Father, love your wives as the source of strength, as the one who nurtures your children’s future. Mother, love your husband, for in that love, you both build a kingdom. Let this love be the rock upon which your children stand, and in doing so, you will lay the foundation for a world that is rooted in compassion, unity, and lasting strength.