EVERLASTING HOPE

“When he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death!  I will set out and go back to my father and say to him, ‘I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men.’ So he got up and went to his father.  But whole he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him…The father said,’ Quick!  Bring the best robe and put it on him.  Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.  Bring the fattened calf and kill it.  Let’s have a feast and celebrate.  For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is fond.’ So they began to celebrate.”

Luke 15: 11-24)

When we make sin acceptable we rob those committing the sin of the gift of repentance and leave them with no hope of change.  When there is no hope for change, one becomes either despondent, depressed, and open to destroying himself; or deceived, defensive, and anxious to make the sin  acceptable in the eyes of man and law, which usually results in a downward spiral both for individuals and societies.

People need to know there is always hope for change or there can be no inner or outer freedom.  People need to know that the God who created them will always freely forgive those who turn to him in true repentance.  This is the message of the Gospel and it is good news.

Judas betrayed Jesus by turning him over to those who would crucify him.  Peter betrayed Jesus by denying he knew him, three times.  Both had forsaken God and both felt bad about what they had done.  Judas saw no hope and killed himself.  Peter knew better.  I believe that if Judas had waited, he too would have been reconciled to Jesus, because that is the nature of God; a forgiving Father who waits for his children who have strayed to return to him, so he can celebrate the reunion.

When we interfere by making what is wrong right, we rob both God and sinner.  When the church does it, it’s even worse because they are entrusted with the Absolute Truth of God and the means of true repentance and reconciliation.

“For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction (True instruction) from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 2:5-7).

God created human beings in his image; we are to reflect the nature of God; we are to be salt and light; we are to be beacons of hope to a world in despair.  Repentance is an act of love.  It brings people back to where they belong, to the fountain of living water where they will never thirst; where they will be renewed and refreshed; where they will enjoy the fullness of the Presence of God.