[Sing: YOU ARE MINE]
As I have told you, I have a large family. My brother Guy is second to the youngest. I am second to the oldest. Guy is my brother with Down Syndrome and is high functioning. The other day we were talking about current movies (a favorite topic for us) and I mentioned how much I don’t like scary movies; and how this time of year (before Halloween) there are so many out. I am going on and on . . . blah, blah, blah. Guy turns to me as says, “Kevin, you know those are pretend.”
Wow. Being afraid sells well this time of year, but it is not what our faith teaches. In fact it is quite the opposite. One of most frequent themes of Jesus is to tell someone . . . “fear not” or “don’t be afraid.” It is like the song called YOU ARE MINE.
[Sing Verse one and refrain]
I will come to you in the silence, I will lift you from all your fear.
You will hear my voice. I claim you as my choice
Be still, and know I am near
Chorus: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine
This weekend, Catholic churches all over MN are recognizing “Life and Dignity Weekend.” It is basically a time for us to think about life, how we respect life and what kind of dignity we extend to all life (womb to tomb). There is a card for you to fill out at the end of Mass, if you would like to be on an email list to receive literature about life issues.
In preparing for this homily, I got to thinking, that people who get burdened with life issues are usually burdened by fear. That is, a fear of what will happen. For example, being pregnant when it was not planned. Or being overwhelmed with care needs when one is old and frail. That is, “who is going to take care of Mom? Who is going to pay for all the medical costs?” Or wondering if death if the best option for hardened criminals, as a way to protect everyone else.
There was a shocking finding lately about the country of Iceland. Did you know that in recent years, there are rarely any children there with Down Syndrome? It is not that they have found a way to prevent it. Quite the opposite. As the baby inside a mother’s womb is diagnosed with having Down Syndrome . . . they are usually aborted.
That’s horrifying and sad. I guess that mothers and fathers who learn that their child has Down Syndrome fear something. Perhaps fearing that their baby won’t look right, won’t develop as quickly as other babies or that this little one will be a burden in their lives. It’s horrifying for who is to judge the worth of any life? Are we changing into a society that will want to kill a fetus because it is not the right gender, or right eye color or size or shape, etc?
It is sad because I, like many of you, know someone who has Down Syndrome. Perhaps even in your family, like I do . . . and I can’t imagine my life without him. That is, the depth and honesty and wholesome goodness, that I can’t come close to measuring up to. And the people of Iceland won’t have that chance to know what a gift Down Syndrome is to the world.
And I got to thinking about a woman, or couple, who have gone through an abortion and the pain that they continue to carry (sometimes even decades later). And sometimes even now, they live in fear that somehow that God won’t REALLY forgive them. Heck that is a fear that many people carry with them . . . that all this talk of forgiveness or God’s unconditional love is for someone else, not them.
Mother Angelica (of EWTN fame) once said, “It suggests arrogance on the part of Christians who think that our sin is greater than God's Mercy.” I was never a big fan of her’s (she died) but her quote is right on.
In a sense, it is what the parable in the gospel today is all about. That God has in store for us . . . goodness and grace, and joy and peacefulness. That is, like a wedding banquet . . . and we are all invited to attend. But some of us refuse the invitation with, “No I am not worthy to be happy.” Or “With this bad thing about me, or what I did, there is no way God is going to let me into heaven.”
I say, “You are wrong.” If you are carrying a burden or a guilt, let’s get it taken care of. On the first weekend of December (the first weekend of Advent) we will offer the sacrament of Reconciliation all weekend long. It will occur before and after all the Masses. But until then, come to the feast. Come to the banquet of forgiveness through Reconciliation (which is available each Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning, or just call me). Come to the feast of the Eucharist every Sunday (or Saturday) not just when it’s convenient. Come to the wedding of joy, where God says, “I know. It’s OK. Don’t be afraid . . . I have never left you and I will never leave you.”
Please join in singing with me #____ from the Blue Hymnal: YOU ARE MINE, verse 3 and 4.
I am strength for all the despairing. Healing for the ones who dwell in shame
All the blind will see, the lame will all run free. And all will know my name
Chorus: Do not be afraid, I am with you. I have called you each by name
Come and follow Me, I will bring you home. I love you and you are mine
I am the Word that leads all to freedom. I am the peace the world cannot give
I will call your name, embracing all your pain. Stand up, now, walk, and live.
Chorus