Tenth Sunday in Ordinary Time/ Pride Week Reflection

Let Us Return To The Lord
A Reflection for the Tenth Sunday of Ordinary Time
By Rev. Robert Johnnene OFD
Mission Sts. Sergius & Bacchus
http://www.missionstsergius.org
http://www.missionstsergius.org/Franciscans_of_Divine_Mercy/

For the mass Readings this week we can choose from Genesis 12:1-9 or Hosea 5:15-6:6, Psalm 33:1-12 or Psalm 50:7-15,Romans 4:13-25 and Matthew 9:9-13, 18-26. They all have a common theme and it is one of Promise, Repentance, a God who is Faithful, Loves Justice and Fairness has Infinite Steadfast Love for ALL His Children.
Paul’s letter to the Romans tells us of God’s grace and how it will lead us to righteousness.
The Gospel emphasizes the point that with faith all things are possible. It begins with Jesus saying to Matthew “Come, follow Me” and without hesitation or any question as to why, Matthew followed Jesus and, of course, is attributed to be the writer of the Gospel.
When all the readings are taken together they give us good reason to follow Christ and in so doing, to be faithful to Almighty God who created us.
This weeks message is very powerful for many reasons. The reading from Genesis tells of the blind faith and trust in God that Abraham, whom Paul calls in his letter to the Romans, “The father of all of us”, and Sarah left friends, family and all things to follow God’s command and how they believed in His promise.
This is very fitting for this day and age when people use discrimination to justify their actions against others. Abraham, as father of all nations is acknowledged by Jews, Arabs and Christians as the source of their nations and the foundation of their faiths, yet they do not act as a loving family but as enemies toward each other. The question we need to ask ourselves is “WHY?” A possible answer is that they do not have complete faith in God as the woman in the Gospel story had when she thought to herself "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed." Jesus sensing her thoughts turns to her and says; "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment.”
Absolute faith is complete trust in God, placing God before all else. That is what we need to do today just as Abraham and Sarah did. If we do this, God will, in His mercy, justice and love grant unto us what we are asking.
Christ did not come to earth to lead and guide those with complete faith and trust in God, he came to let us know that no matter how we may have strayed or sinned, we can still return to God because God is a loving and merciful God who never stops loving us. We are reminded of that also in the Gospel story when Christ is challenged by the Pharisees for eating with tax collectors and sinners to which Christ replied "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.' For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."
In many areas of the world this week begins what has come to be called “Gay Pride Week” and Boston is one of those cities in the US. These readings also contain a message for the GLBT community and those who discriminate against them and immigrants. Just as Abraham and Sarah left Haran, to follow God’s instruction, GLBT folks are often forced to leave family and friends and immigrants leave their homes for a better life in a country they believe is one of acceptance and hope. We, who claim to be followers of Christ’s teachings, must leave our fears and prejudices behind and respond to the call of God to “Love one another as I have loved you”. Far too often, a break with family happens for LGBT folks under conditions that are characterized by alienation, hostility, violence and even suicide brought on by how their families and friends and peers treat them. Even when relations are less strained, differences in experiences and ways of life can make LGBT people feel as removed from their families of origin as those who travel great distances and endured great trials to reach this country.
Yet the story of Abraham reminds us that coming out of one situation and traveling into another has always been a part of the journey of faith. Neither the difficulties nor the joys encountered during his travels where completely revealed to Abraham in advance. Similarly, our own future difficulties and joys are seldom revealed to us. Nevertheless, "hoping against hope," and sustained by "the steadfast love of God" referred to in Psalm 33:5, we, like Abraham and Sarah, come out of current circumstances to journey towards God's welcoming arms and infinite love for each of us.
Our blessings, moreover, are not only for ourselves. As God tells Abraham, "all the families of the earth shall be blessed" when people "come out" to a journey chosen by God.
Hosea 6:6 reminds us “For I desire goodness, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt-offerings.” which are the same words Jesus replied to those who questioned his sitting with sinners.
Let us return to God giving Him our complete faith, trust and love and live our lives as Christ instructed us by loving one another as He loved us. Let us put an end to discrimination, rejection and alienation of those who may have different religions beliefs, sexual orientation of national roots and remember that Abraham was father to ALL Nations and therefore we are all BROTHERS AND SISTERS in Christ and children of GOD.