The Human Condition and God's Mercy

4^th Sunday of Lent

1^st Reading:   2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
2^nd Reading:  Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21

Our first reading today - presents for us - yet - another episode in the history of God’s chosen people where they broke covenant with Him and ultimately fell into captivity - something that they did on a regular basis - so much so do they follow this pattern - that there is a perceptible cycle to it. 

And the cycle goes something like this:  God’s chosen people would enter into a covenant with Him - things would be good for a while - but then as time went on - the people would forget who it was that they owed their prosperity to - they began to believe that all of their accomplishments were of their own doing - that they didn’t need God anymore - and would fall away from their religious practices - adding as we heard - infidelity to infidelity - practicing all the abominations of the nations - ultimately resulting in their captivity. Then over time God would send prophets, kings and others who would lead them back to repentance - back to Him - and everything would be good - at least for a while … because the cycle was just starting all over again - and what was that cycle - a cycle of sin that can be attributed to our weak human condition.

It was then during my reflection on this that things became personal - I thought - well isn’t that me - aren’t I trapped in a cycle of sin - don’t I do well now and then - don’t I do well even for long periods of time - but don’t I - just like the Jews - forget who I owe my prosperity to - forget who I owe my salvation to -  and fall just like they did - into sin and become lax in my religious practices … isn’t their story my story … and as a church, and as a nation - isn’t their story our story … if we think not - then all hope is lost … but if we realize this - as individuals, as church, as a nation - if we realize that their story is our story - that we are caught in this cycle of sin - then and only then can the mercy of God break in … then and only then can we change.

Search your hearts - you know this to be true - for isn’t it our experience that when things are going good for us (as individuals, as church, as a nation) - we are perhaps farthest from God and lax in our religious practices - but when things start to go bad - then aren’t we more aware of our dependency on God and move closer to Him - and isn’t that like the friend or relative who only calls us when they need something … and how do we feel about people like that … and aren’t we blest that God’s ways aren’t our ways …

It is generally acknowledged that people who are caught up in these things that have this cyclic nature - poverty, abuse, violence - will remain caught in that cycle unless there is outside intervention … and when it comes to this cycle of sin we are talking about - that we all suffer from - that outside intervention is the Light of Christ - that breaks into our darkness and frees us from captivity - that outside intervention my brothers and sisters is God’s mercy …

Have we not heard - that God so loved the world that he gave us His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him might not perish but might have eternal life.  Do we not know that - God did not send his Son into the world to condemn it, but that the world might be saved through Him and whoever believes in Him will not be condemned …

And did we not hear in our second reading that it is “by grace we have been saved through faith - and while that is true -  we can’t stop there - it goes on to say that this is a gift from God not from works - and that is true - but here’s the important part - we cannot say that we are saved by faith alone - because it goes on to say that we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them - that we should LIVE in them … and what does that mean - simply this - REPENT … change your hearts …

We are called to change our hearts else we will continue to live in that cycle of sin and the good new is this - we don’t have to do that ourselves - Jesus wants to help us do that - He not only showed us the way - He didn’t leave us orphans - He comes to us in Word and Sacrament to strengthen us - to help us to change … and know this - believe this - no matter what we have done or how often we have failed - He is waiting - in the sacrament of reconciliation to forgive us - and  if we just have faith, if we live in the good works that God prepared for us before we were formed in our mother’s womb - then we will be saved … but what are those good works that God prepared for us.

This is where we have to be careful - many of us might answer this question by pointing to all of the good things we do as individuals or as Church - attending Mass, going to reconciliation, praying regularly, studying Scripture - giving generously of our time, talent and treasure - working with the poor, going on mission trips, fighting for justice and so forth. 

These certainly are among the good works that God has prepared for us - and don’t stop doing these things - but - there is more to - living in our works - than that - we are called to live in ALL the events of our life - we have to find the thread of Light that is Christ Jesus that is woven into all of the events of our daily lives - not just these good things we choose to do  - but in everything that we do - at home or at work - with family, or friends and strangers - we have to do all things in Christ for the Glory of God … then and only then will we break free from this cycle of sin …

My brothers and sisters - our first reminds us of our human condition - the other readings remind us about God’s mercy - and the message is this - we can’t buy our way into heaven - we can by our works get into heaven - we can only love our way into heaven - you can give without loving - but you can’t love without giving -  by grace we have been saved through faith - this is a gift from God not from works - we are His handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them - let all that we do all that we say give glory and honor to God  - if you do that then one day we will hear those words that each of us long to hear - well done my good and faithful servant enter into the Joy of your Master’s house …

Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever … Amen!

Moved with Pity - He stretched out His hand

Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Year B
Reading 1 - Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46
Reading 2 - 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Gospel - Mark 1:40-45

While preparing this homily - I realized something new - something that now seems so obvious - but previously - I can only describe as being hidden or disconnected for me - and what is that - simply this - I can understand more about God the Father through the actions and words of His Son Jesus Christ - and why is that - because Jesus himself said “anyone who has seen me has seen the Father” and “believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me” - but most importantly - Jesus said that - “no one comes to the Father except through me”.

And how then did this come to me - while I meditated on one line from our Gospel - “moved with pity” - instantly I realized how it was God’s will that His only Son should die on the cross - you see - this was a question that was always irritating - always in the back of my mind - how a loving father could will the death of his only son - for those of us who have lost a child - we know that pain - how then could a loving father will the death of his only son … but there it was - right in front of me - “moved with pity” - God the Father was moved with pity for us when He willed that His only Son should die on the cross … just like Jesus was moved with pity and healed the leper so too God was moved with pity - so much so - that He willed that His only Son should die for us … I had found peace.

It was then that the next part of that line from our Gospel took on a whole new meaning for me - “moved with pity - what did Jesus do - He stretched out His hand” - but it wasn’t the leper I saw Him touch - it was the cross … you see God is not blind to our pain and suffering - He loves us so much so that in the fullness of time He sent His only Son - not to condemn the world - but to save it - and it wasn’t the nails that held Jesus to the cross - it was His love and the Father’s love for us - it was the Holy Spirit - that held Jesus to the cross …

It is true - Jesus died on the cross - but no one killed Him - He had the power to lay down His life and to pick it back up - He freely gave up His life - and in doing so He fulfilled His Father’s will - He became the perfect sacrifice - so that we who believe in Him - might have eternal life - so that we - who believe in Him - might become what we were meant to be - holy … Jesus stretched out His arms for us - once on the cross - but now and for all eternity - He stretches out His arms for us in Heaven - were He patiently waits for each of us - to welcome us home …

It was then that the words of our second reading came to me - what did St. Paul say - do everything for the glory of God - be imitators of Christ … and instantly I thought about the Dismissal at the end of every Mass - “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life” … you and I are part of God’s plan for salvation - we are called to carry Christ into the world - to be His eyes and ears, to be His hands - to be His love and compassion - giving freely of our time, talent and treasure - sharing Him with all of those that we come into contact with - seeing Him in all of those who we come into contact with - you see - in our Gospel reading Jesus warned the leper - “See that you tell no one anything” - but that was then - today - you and I - are called and sent to tell everyone the good news - that Jesus Christ has risen and we too can share in His glory - and that everyone is welcome in His house and at His table. My brothers and sisters - be not afraid - set out into the deep - be the Christ that you want to see in the world today - and know that He is with us always - until the end of time …

Praised be Jesus Christ now and forever - Amen!