September 16, 2007
Father Gary
The other day I spoke with a couple from another Diocese who was extremely negative regarding the world. During our conversion, they told me how everything was wrong in the world. I guess keeping CNN or FOXNEWS on all day, interrupted with alternating talk shows can make anyone negative.
When you add to that, personal troubles that are part of all our lives, the world might appear to be dark. This couple continued and went on and on, "The world's going to hell in a hand basket. I don't know why God puts up with us."
Why does God put up with us? Why is it that in the face of the shame of our society, from the exploitation of the weak and helpless, to the killing of babies, and then what seems to be never ending wars, why does God put up with us?
The Gospel has two little parable-stories and one long parable. All three are about the responses to welcoming back the lost. The three parables explain how the early Church communities would welcome back the “lost” or those who had once been active in the community, but had drifted off to other groups. It is very important to notice the nature of those listening to Jesus tell these stories.
Tax collectors (those collecting taxes from the Jews, for the dominating Roman Empire) and other sinners were drawing near to listen. The Pharisees and Scribes were also attentive to His words. A lost sheep, a lost coin, and an apparently lost son, help create the tension of these stories. The sheep and coin are found by those who sought them and both rejoice at the reunion. The “son” coming to his senses…” finds himself first and then finds a rejoicing-father welcoming his son back home.
"But Heavenly Father, we have really done some bad things. We really bear a deep responsibility for what happened. We did things, when we were young that we are ashamed to even think about. How can you forgive us for our past, God?"
God can forgive us because He loves us. When someone loves another, he or she is willing to give that person at fault a second chance. God can and does forgive us because He is the God of new beginnings. God sees all we can be, not just all that we could have been.
Sometimes when people are negative, wondering about the world and God's wrath, I ask them to look at our children. They are beautiful in many ways. They are a reminder of birth, a new start, a new beginning that the world needs to be reminded.
They are not just our projects; they are God's special people. God created children to transform the world. Children themselves, by their very being, transform us. Our cooperation with God's plan for them demands that we live the ideals of his Kingdom.
How many people return to worship because they want the best for their children. Baptism and First Communion really become times of graced moments, times that mothers and fathers sincerely reflect on their own faith lives and allow God to revitalize their own faith for their own sakes as well as the sake of their children. The God of new beginnings is aware of this. He loves us for the renewal we bring to his Kingdom.
So let's not give up on ourselves. We don't have the right to give up on ourselves. Yes, we are human beings who often make mistakes. Yes, we need to seek forgiveness over and over. But God loves us and is always ready to give us a new beginning. He does this not just for us, but for the effect our new beginning has on our children, and through them on the whole world.
Let us share that faith with others. Pray with others, pray for others and teach others to pray. Learn more about your faith and share it with others. Welcome home those who have left the Church and pray for the souls of those who are gone.
This weekend we celebrate those who are Catechists, those who teach the faith. Let us rejoice at those lost and now found. Let us welcome back those who strayed and have now returned home. Let us shout with joy in thanksgiving for a Loving God who never gives up but instead gives Hope through new beginnings.