Today's Thoughts...

​Today’s Thoughts: Recently I ran across a quote by C. S Lewis, “Human history is the long terrible story of man trying to find something other than God which will make him happy.” These words from C. S. Lewis seem to fit well with our readings today.
 
In our first reading from the Book of Exodus we encounter Moses and God having a conversation. God is fed up with Israel. They have found a Golden Calf and for the moment it has made them happy. God wants to destroy them and start over and but Moses talks God out of his anger. God choses not to give up on Israel.
 
In our second reading from St. Paul’s First Letter to Timothy we hear St. Paul tell us how much of a sinner he was before encountering Jesus. How he thought he found happiness is persecuting the early Church until Jesus gave him the opportunity to see things differently. St. Paul’s message to Timothy and us is that God doesn’t give up on us.
 
Finally, in our Gospel from Luke today we encounter the three parables that Jesus tells in Chapter 15. This chapter is often known as the Chapter of the Lost, because we encounter a lost sheep, a lost coin and two lost sons.
 
There are many things we can take away from these parables but perhaps the most important message for today is the message that God does not give up on us! Yes, even today after all these thousands of years, we still spend a lot of time searching to things that will make us happy other than God. Yet, God does not give up on us. God is always will to welcome us home, whether we have gone else where to find happiness or whether we have become angry, jealous, or resentful because of God mercy, compassion and forgiveness.
 
There are some people who don’t like or have rejected Pope Francis because he lives his ministry as the father in our Gospel today. Always ready to be merciful, compassionate and forgiving. He is our Moses always trying to talk God out of being angry with us. He is our St. Paul reminding us that God never gives us. These older sons can remain standing outside or they can join the celebration. Pope Francis is always going to remind us that God is never going to give up on us!
 
Have a blessed Sunday everyone and don’t forget to give God a little time!