As soldiers, pilots and sailors went off to war in the first and second world war, and in all the conflicts since then, the presence of chaplains was of great value and support, and I know it continues to be so today.  In Queensland we have a significantly higher number of serving men and women in the armed forces and consequently a good number of chaplains including Anglicans, who serve with them, either as active personnel or who are on the Australian Defence Forces reserves list. 

Our reflection this week starts with Luke’s Gospel and the discussion Jesus has with his followers about living into the Kingdom of God (Luke 18:15-30).  There are two encounters described for us as we think about what we mean and what Jesus meant about the Kingdom. 

I have three god-daughters, all adults now. Lucy, the eldest, is English, and grew up in Wales. Then there's Cecilia, in Melbourne. Finally Jessica, who moved from Geelong to China with her teacher parents. The distance between us limited my involvement in their lives, but, when they were children, I always sent them carefully chosen birthday and Christmas gifts. Lucy would respond with a card which I learnt to open over newspaper as it was always filled with stars, or hearts, or glitter. Cecilia preferred the phone: 'Hi Auntie Cathy. Thanks for the ... whatever. Here's Mum.' Short and sweet – that's Cecilia.

I have three god-daughters, all adults now. Lucy, the eldest, is English, and grew up in Wales. Then there's Cecilia, in Melbourne. Finally Jessica, who moved from Geelong to China with her teacher parents. The distance between us limited my involvement in their lives, but, when they were children, I always sent them carefully chosen birthday and Christmas gifts. Lucy would respond with a card which I learnt to open over newspaper as it was always filled with stars, or hearts, or glitter. Cecilia preferred the phone: 'Hi Auntie Cathy. Thanks for the ... whatever. Here's Mum.' Short and sweet – that's Cecilia.

Today is Father’s Day.  We give thanks to all fathers, grandfathers, adopted fathers and all the men who have helped to mentor and support children and young people.  Richard Rohr reminds us how precious is the relationship between parent and child, between father and son, just as it is between mother and daughter, and between father and daughter and mother and son.  The extraordinary opportunity many people have, to love a child, to raise them, to bless them in their daily lives, supporting and encouraging, guiding and enabling them, is life-giving and life-changing for everyone.