5th Sunday - God graces us, we respond

Inclusion, nothing feels as good as being included. Friends ask you to join in on an adventure, or even join in for coffee or if over 21 a beer. Inclusion is being picked to be on a team and not being the last one always. Inclusion means to be welcomed at the door, greeted with a smile and a name. Inclusion means being invited and accompanied, shown how to belong.

Inclusion means we are wanted. Deep within our hearts, we all want to be wanted.

We Catholic Christians, we believe in purpose. We believe God moves all of creation and everything within it for purpose. Ultimately it means bringing all of creation into one with God. God wants all to be a part of God. God wants us especially as God’s special creation to be within the divine life of the Trinity.

We do not earn this, nor win this. This is a pure gift. God gives it freely. Our only part, accept this gift and use this gift.

If I remember my economics lessons, a good economy means that goods and money flow well between people and organizations. A good and thriving economy means all people become included in this flow of goods and services. Bad economy happens when less and less people are included. A Bad economy happens when goods and services become isolated to smaller groups, they are held onto and not shared.

In the mid 1900’s, a German Theologian wrote of “Cheap Grace”. This theologian had observed Christians and their behavior. God gave (and gives) grace freely. God overwhelms us with Grace. Yet, we accept this grace, and we do not use it. It sits idle within us. It is as if we win a huge lotto, place the money in our mattress and never use it.

Grace’s power is to enhance our humanity; to build upon our nature as Children of God, to help us become all that we can be.

Jesus, the fullness of God and the fullness of Creation, the unity of the Divine and Created, fills us with Grace upon Grace. Jesus, the Son of God, gives to us the power to realize ourselves as God’s children and work with God to build God’s kingdom here on Earth.

Not just to some, but to ALL. WE are all included. Despite what some people claim and think; all persons are invited to salvation, to realization, to completion. There is no sin that can impede us. All are Graced. What will be our response?

Think of what Isaiah experienced. He felt unworthy of his call; God took care of it. He responded to the grace he received and he becomes one of Israel’s greatest prophets.

Think of what Peter experienced. A simple person, nothing exceptional about him according to societal norms. Jesus sees him, invites him, and Peter responds. He becomes one of the greatest disciples (and continues his many mistakes).

All of us are invited. We have no excuses to not become part of the great purpose, the great plan of God. God provides.

It does not mean we have to do extraordinary things. It does mean that with grace, we live exceptional lives. We live lives of kindness, mercy, compassion. We live lives of generosity and humility, lives of patience and discernment.

I know it can seem that not too many of us are living such lives. We can go to twitter and read so called catholics being the meanest arrogant people out there. Don’t become despondent, they may cheapen God’s grace, but many many more use God’s grace so much better.

I have seen it in those out there in the cold and heat giving out food. I have seen it in those who give up time to spend with those in need; to minister to our youth and to our elderly.

I have seen it with those who deliberately and intentionally welcome people to our community.

I have experienced it with those who show concern when one of us is down and out.

I saw it on Instagram, this teacher in a school who had a child in his classroom with physical limitations. So during recess he made it a point to carry this child into the activities and helped him belong with the other children. (See, not everything on the internet is horrible).

As Catholics, we signify this inclusion, we signify this invitation with the Eucharist, with our communion. We gather here to remember God’s invitation in word and prayer. We signify this invitation through the Bread and Wine and that becomes the Body and Blood, the very unity of the Divine and Creation; we remember this sums up God’s great plan, and we consume it. It becomes one with us.

Grace upon Grace upon Grace, given out freely.    Respond to it.