Why rejoice in a sinner? Because God’s love is constantly bubbling up, filling us, overflowing, constant, and unconditional. Ask any mother or father who has loved, and loved, and loved a son or daughter who is living a destructive life—Yes, there will be rejoicing, not punishment, when they return! But this kind of love can be a stumbling block to anyone whose pride says, “When you sin, you’re bad, and not deserving of love.” Jesus came for the lost and sinful! Jesus is God in the flesh, and that is how God loves. Those stories are not about the lost sheep, coin, or son, but about the desire of God to celebrate and rejoice over us when we return to Him.
But what about repentance? Doesn’t Jesus also say, “Repent and turn away from sin”? A sinner who is welcomed back is being given the freedom of love. At last the “found” person sees their true self and feels grateful for being forgiven.
Remember what Jesus said when a sinful woman cried at his feet, “Her many sins have been forgiven, she has shown great love.” Our love for God and others comes after we realize how much we have been forgiven, and how much God has rejoiced over us. But the opposite is also clear: if we do not think we have any sins to be forgiven, we cannot love.
We should all have the honesty of St. Paul, who admits, “I was arrogant, a blasphemer, and a persecutor… but I have been mercifully treated… God’s grace has been abundant.” When we face the facts of our sin and turn to the Lord, our God runs to meet us with arms outstretched.
Out of the Office: I will be out of the office from Sunday, September 11th through Saturday, September 24th. The first nine days of this time I will be in Rome for “Baby Bishop School” and then on my return I plan on a few days at the beach for some rest and relaxation! Please keep all of the new bishops in your prayers (due to COVID, it will be the bishops ordained in the past 3 years), as we learn about various aspects of the Church.