A retired Naval Admiral that I once knew were attending a Church dinner. The private conversation gradually evolved into the sinners and saints we served with in the military. We both agreed to the following statement, ” In a foxhole no one cares about your race, religious affiliation, belief in God, sexual orientation or state of grace.” Pretty much everyone is calling on God’s help and are all in the same boat.
Jesus says in today’s Gospel, What I want is mercy, not sacrifice. Jesus came to earth for sinners. Still how do we treat the homosexuals, adulterers, and other sinners in our lives? Do we shun them like some religions, or do we call them sinners like we are sinners and love them and show them mercy like Jesus did.
It is easy when you as most of us are involved in Church life to only associate with the saints at church. When I worked for the Post Office, I had a lesbian supervisor. She had some emotional problems and eventually was fired. It takes a great deal of effort to get fired from the government. However, she was not fired because she was a lesbian. Eventually she came back to our small post office unit. She had fallen on rough times and was homeless. She was looking for money to live and of course I gave her some. She was looking for mercy and, in some way, I hope gave it to her as Jesus would have done.
How do we treat sinners?
On January 25th, 2023 Pope Francis said, ““Being homosexual isn’t a crime,” He went on to say, ” “It’s not a crime. Yes, but it’s a sin. Fine, but first let’s distinguish between a sin and a crime.” “It’s also a sin to lack charity with one another,” he added.
So why did Jesus eat with sinners?
Was Jesus trying to teach us to be merciful and charitable?
It encourages me to see recent protests at the Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game by Catholic Bishops against the disrespect to the Blessed Virgin and Religion in general by homosexual group. The protest by the Bishop was speaking the truth about sin. Still, how do we treat the sinners in our lives. Remembering we are sinners as well.
My wife, Anna, has a stepson from her marriage to her deceased husband, Tom. The stepson is an award-winning Doctor and Radiologist. Do we not let him save the lives of the people we love because he is gay? Of course not!
Luke 6:37-38 “Stop judging and you will not be judged. Stop condemning and you will not be condemned. Forgive and you will be forgiven. Give and gifts will be given to you; a good measure, packed together, shaken down, and overflowing, will be poured into your lap. For the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you.”
What size is the size of the cup that you measure mercy and charity?
God Love You always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for peace!
