Have you ever felt that nobody was there? Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear? Like you could fall and no one would hear?
Feeling alone is one of the toughest situations to endure. That is, feeling that you don’t belong. We all have felt that way at some time or another. We have all probably felt like Eldad and Medad from the first reading. That somehow, we’ve did it wrong. Or that if others really knew us, really knew us . . . that we wouldn’t be liked. That we would be excluded
Let that lonely feeling wash away. Maybe there’s a reason to believe you’ll be OK.
‘Cause when you don’t feel strong enough to stand, you can reach, reach out your hand.
But what you can do is, is open your hand. If you stayed guarded, with a fist closed . . . it’s rare that you are going to change. Try it. Make a tight fist with your hand and squeeze it. Now open it up. Doesn’t that feel better?
Jesus invited his followers to open their hands to everyone. Not to fight against those who don’t do it like they did it. [Demonstrate a fighting pose] but to be welcoming. [Open hands up]
You are invited to come and be part of a bigger picture of what Church means. You are welcome to not feel alone but to be part of this community. And how do you feel a part? . . by opening your hands and getting involved.
I now invite Jenifer Rindels to come forward to explain some things . . . .
[Jenifer explains SIGN ME UP forms]
[As people are filling out their forms . . . I continue singing]
And oh someone will come runnin’ and I know they’ll take your home.
Even when the dark comes crashing through, When you need a friend to carry you
When you're broken on the ground, You will be found.
So let the sun come streaming in 'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
If you only look around You will be found (You will be found)
You will be found (You will be found) You will be found
That song is from a new movie released this weekend. It’s called Dear Evan Hanson. It’s based on a Broadway musical. I saw both and I would recommend the movie to all of you, but especially to you teenagers, or those who have teenagers in their household. Bring your Kleenexes, because it is powerful and moving. One of the main themes of the movie, which is the same for this parish, is that you belong. Welcome Home.