Psalm Reflection: The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A

“O God, let all the nations praise you!” - Psalms 67

All the nations.

That means everyone. 

That includes the people you do not like or associate with.

That includes the people you do not agree with politically.

That includes the people who drive you crazy and you avoid like the plague.

If we were truly evangelizing others to the degree we are called to, we would have all sorts of people coming to our Churches, especially those who do not fit the “typical churchgoer” demographic.

Jesus ate with the poor, the marginalized, the criminals, and the rejects. When these people show up at our Churches, our first inclination is to usually find a way to get them out. 

Instead, we should be welcoming anyone and everyone through the doors of our Churches, because Jesus did not discriminate in His love and His mission. He died even for those who mocked, rejected, betrayed and crucified Him.

Our Churches should not be uniform and comfortable, they should be colorful and unusual.

I once heard someone put it this way, “if you are comfortable leaving your purse in the pew, then your Church is not bringing in the type of people Jesus ministered to!”  

Sinners coming home, that is what makes Heaven rejoice:

“what woman having ten coins and losing one would not light a lamp and sweep the house, searching carefully until she finds it? And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ In just the same way, I tell you, there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” - Luke 15:8-10 (emphasis added)

The Church is not a museum for saints it is a hospital for sinners, and we all need to be seen by the Divine Physician. All of us sin (Romans 3:23), and sin destroys and kills the soul (Romans 6:23, 1 John 5:16-17). We are all equal in that regard.

Yet, we can tend to imagine God as someone who loves those we love and who hates those we hate. It is interesting to me how often I meet people who talk about God as if He believes everything that they do about the world!

We cannot pigeonhole God into our narrow-minded ways of seeing the world.

We cannot pigeon-hole our Churches into groups of people that look, act and practice faith like we do: the usual people who are always at everything.

Is there room in your Church for some unusual suspects?

Is there room in your heart for people who are different than you?

Is there space in your life for loving and civil conversation with those who you completely disagree with?

The Bible reminds us that Jesus came “to seek and to save what was lost” (Luke 19:10). That is all of us. If there is any group Jesus might warn us to be wary of, it is religious people, especially those so close-minded or obsessed with certain teachings and practices that they mistakenly reject those who are most in need of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness (see Matthew 23).

How often are you breaking out of your comfort zone to talk about your faith with someone different than you?

How often are you praying outside of the four walls of your Church or your own home?

Not every interaction we have needs to be mutually beneficial. If we are only talking to, spending time with, or befriending people who add something to our lives, we are being selfish with our time and energy. We are called to serve, to offer the love of God and the Good News of Jesus Christ without cost, and to expect nothing in return (1 Corinthians 9:18).

Next time you are in Mass, ask yourself “who is missing?” Think about your own family, friendships, workplace and neighborhood. Who should you invite here, even if it is uncomfortable. Who might never be invited to a Church unless you reach out?

I know that God’s heart rejoices in all those who live faithful lives and enter the glory of Heaven. But, I think His heart also grieves those who are missing. 

Let us share that same heart and dismantle any preconceived notions we have about who belongs and who does not.

Look, the heavens, even the highest heavens, belong to the LORD, your God, as well as the earth and everything on it. - Deuteronomy 10:14 (emphasis added)

We are all His.

Go remind anyone who has forgotten.

Go tell everyone who does not already know.

Let our Churches be filled with every kind of person, from the most joyful saint to the most decorated sinner. Let us be wary of leaving our bags in the pew, because every kind of sinner is welcome, ourselves included.

I am praying for you, please pray for me, and I will see you in the Eucharist.

Matt

This reflection is based on the Responsorial Psalm for this Sunday, August 20th, 2023, which is The Twentieth Sunday in Ordinary Time - Cycle A: Psalms 67:2-3, 5, 6, 8.