This
morning each child came up to the altar, picked up “Pickles” from their chair
and they were greeted with a smile. In front of the altar, their artwork was
displayed in the shape of a heart with a message. They wrote prayers that
expressed confidence that Jesus loves them very much and promised to help them
live in their hearts.
I
heard no spitballs stories, but our young ones knew ways they could be better
by being more helpful to their mom or taking time to play with their baby
sister. What a joy to see in their eyes, no fear, but a desire to follow Jesus
more closely.
After
their act of contrition, they receive the grace of absolution. More important,
they were invited to show their gratitude to God by a promise to gently comb
their kitties and doggies that would make their pets feel loved and healthy.
Later,
at Mass their parents heard the gospel story about how a leper took the risk
and asked Jesus for a healing. More
important, this leper heard that Jesus cares about those no one else cares
about. He heard that Jesus includes the excluded, and who was more excluded
than himself?
Sadly,
the leper was suspected of some grave sin and this disease was punishment. But Jesus was there for him as he was
for so many outcasts. He reached out and touched the leper; In place of
isolation he gave companionship. In place of rejection he gave acceptance. In
place of disgust he gave compassion. That must have been far better for the man
than any physical cure could possible mean.
Yes,
the real power of the gospel is not that a sick person was made healthy, but
that a person universally held to be repulsive, unlovable, even evil, is in
fact loved, is the object of God’s mercy and compassion. The leper brought the
dark and frightening side of his nature and laid it out before Christ and was
touched. Is there anyone here who would do the same?
In prayer, in quiet, see yourself
presenting your dark side to Jesus who embraces what others reject and touches
what others shun, who ignore the labels, slurs and categories others construct.
“Come to me all of you who labor and are burdened by hurt and isolation and
carry the world of being cut off and I will refresh you.”
Lord,
I pray for all my Sonshine Friends who have been rejected by family and friends.
In this Season of Lent, may we like the children “bare our souls” knowing that
you desire to make our hearts like yours.
