A Moment Of Crisis

April 21, 2024

Fourth Sunday of Easter

It was a moment of crisis. The son came to speak with the parents about living with his girlfriend. The parents were aghast. It violated all their core beliefs about relationships and scared them about the future of their son. Plus, there were other extenuating circumstances about the situation, that exacerbated the tension as well. The father was numb. The mother was furious and panic-stricken.

When they came to speak to us, one of the options on the table for them was to simply cut off their child and let him wallow. From one mother to the other, the question was raised, “Could you really do that, and live in peace?” Of course, the answer was a tearful “no.” A solution was needed.

The parents and the child had honest and open conversations about what was leading to this choice. After tears, time, and trust, they all came to a decision that everyone knew was for the best.

Love prevailed.

In today’s second reading, we hear how we are all loved as children of God. It saddens me beyond words to know that not everyone had good parents. To my mind, every child deserves to be loved, to be nurtured, and to be cared for, in a safe and protective environment. No parent is perfect, but every parent should want only the best for their child.

Those who have been raised in abusive homes have so much to overcome to understand God as a loving being. They have no example of a “loving parent.” Not everyone can make the leap. And I have boundless respect for those who have been able to move beyond their upbringing to be able to know that God is love.

Love prevailed.

And yet, there are so many people still out there looking for love. They seek it in unhealthy relationships or unhealthy lifestyles. They cause pain to those around them and pain to themselves. Or they choose to ignore faith and religion all together and try to get through life seeking goodness wherever they can.

I know that it is not my job to save anyone. God does the saving. Jesus is the Good Shepherd. Yet, because I am baptized and because I believe in the power of the Eucharist, I feel compelled to try and help whomever I can. How can I not search for God’s lost sheep? I can’t think that I can leave it all up to Jesus to do all the work. I am Jesus’ hands and feet. My mother used to say, “God doesn’t work for us, God works through us!”

So today, I rededicate myself to seeking the lost, lonely, and forgotten. There are lost sheep out there who need to know they are loved. They may not appreciate or understand that there is a God who loves them, but, perhaps, they will understand that I love them. We’ll take it one step at a time.

Love will prevail.

Every Day.

© 2024 by Timothy J. Doppel

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