The Cupboard welcomes back David Goa (with a special appearance from his cat). From the context of a consideration of Fathers and Sons, we speak about parental and familial love, about power, about blessing.

You may have had a great relationship with your Dad, or maybe it was troubled, maybe both.

David reminds us that gender concepts such as masculine are not to keep us divided and apart, but rather to make us open to the other. Being open to the other calls us to a hopeful and loving engagement with people who are different than us in gender identity, sexuality and belief.

David also presents a powerful reading of what for many has been a terrible story – the story of Abraham and Isaac in the Bible. How are we tempted as parents to see our children through lenses of selfishness rather than through hopeful call of freedom of personality and identity?

We have been blessed, in this life, with the ability to pronounce blessing on others. This is a vocation of parents, also a vocation of each of us in this world.

Article referenced in this episode:

My Son, The Prince of Fashion - Michael Chabon, QC, September 2016 

This episode we enjoyed Appleton Estate 12 Year Old Rare Cask Rum.