24th Sunday of OT
EX 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tim 1:12-17; Lk 15:1-32
I was not here during the Bazaar for the priests and religious retirement home. So, I missed the opportunity to perform with the Ansibin’s Band. Had I been around, I would have sang “The Amazing Grace”. I like the song very much not only because of its wonderful lyrics but the history behind its composition. The song was composed by John Newton, a captain of a ship which was indulged in the buying and selling of slaves in the 18th century. Captain John Newton would sail his ship from Englandto the African coast. There tribal chiefs would deliver to him stockades full of men and women, captured in raids and wars against other tribes. He would select the finest men and women and exchanged them for weapons, ammunition, metal, liquor and cloth. Then the captives would be loaded aboard, packed for sailing. They would be chained to prevent suicides, laid side by side to save space, row after row, one after another, until the ship was laden with as many as 600 units of human cargo. I was said that, of the 6 millions slaves transported from Africa to America in the 18th century Captain John Newton contributed the most. He would sail from England to Africa, picking up slaves, transporting them to America; came back to England to get supplies and again sail to Africa and continue the trade route. One night, however, a violent storm blew up at the sea. The waves threw up Newton’s ship around like a toy. Then, Newton did something which he had never done for many years. He prayed. Shouting at the top of his voice, he said: “God! If you will save me I’ll be your slave forever”. God heard his prayer, the ship survived and Newtonbecame an Evangelical pastor. In his later years, Newton related his conversion in the song, “Amazing Grace”. Indeed, he once was lost but then found again.
In the Gospel today, we heard another story of conversion—“The Prodigal Son” who, like Newton, was once lost but then found again. We can spend hours and hours reflecting on the story. We even can have seminar on it like the one conducted by Archbishop John Ha of Kuching and his friends, Dr Jeffery Goh and wife, Angie. But at the end of the day the focal point of the story is God’s love. God does not give up on sinner; he keeps looking for them and welcomes them back with joy. That is indeed the Good News for us. God in today’s celebration wants us to know again and again that, even after our most stupid mistakes and tragic sins God will be looking to take us back with open arms and restores us to his love. This merciful and ever forgiving God is also reflected in the first reading today. The Israelites have sinned against God and deserved punishment but upon mediation of Moses God shown his mercy—He relented and did not bring disaster on the Israelites. He forgave them and welcomed them back.
In today’s world there are people who like the younger son adrift morally, spiritually and in need of healing. They are bewildered and confused. On the other hand, there are people who behave like the eldest son; self-righteous, always think that they are right and others are wrong, jealousy, unwilling to forgive and selfish. These people are all in need of the Father’s forgiveness. But the problem is, most of them are either ignorant of God’s loves or have no courage to do so… which is why, there is a need to reach out them, there is a need to witness to them of God’s love. Who is going to do that? WE who have experienced Him. WE who are his disciples.
Today as we celebrate the Catechetical Sunday, we are being reminded of that task… that calling to echo God’s love to others. The catechists who will be pledging their commitment afterwards and there after being commissioned are reminders to us of the calling to be Jesus’ disciples. We thank them for their tireless efforts and commitments all these while. Indeed without them, many works in the parish are left undone. Without them our Church would have been continued to be a sleeping giant. But, having said that, let us not forget that the first catechist is the parent. In other words, God’s love is actually experience first in the family—the parents being His instruments. Discipleship is first learnt at home—forgiveness, care, hope, faith all the good virtues are all encountered first hand at home. It is for this reason that the theme for this Catechetical Sunday is “Family: A Nursery of Discipleship”.
And so coming together to celebrate this evening the Catechetical Sunday, let us, with the catechists in our parish, offer thanksgiving and praise to God for His love, for his mercy, for his AMAZING GRACE all these while.. Let us also pray for all families that they may realize their sacred calling. May there will always be forgiveness at home, may there will always be love and hope, and may those who are lost will always be found again.