Weekly HOMILY for March 18, 2007: A Love Stronger Than Sin

4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C
Our Lady of Grace
March 18, 2007

A Love Stronger Than Sin
By (Rev. Msgr.) Nicholas P. Amato


Dostoyevsky

In February 1881 – a little over 126 years ago – Fyodor Dostoyevsky, the great Russian novelist, realized that he was near death. He called his children to his side and requested that their mother read to them the parable that we just heard.

With eyes closed, he listened, drank in the words, intent on the vision he saw in his mind as the story unfolded.

When the reading was completed, Dostoyevsky said in a feeble voice: “My children, never forget what you have just heard. Have absolute faith in God and never despair of his pardon. I love you dearly but my love is nothing compared with the love of God for those who are his creation.

Even if you should be so unhappy as to commit a crime in the course of your life, never despair of God. You are God’s children. Humble yourselves before God as before your father.

Implore God’s pardon and God will rejoice over your repentance as the father rejoiced over that of the prodigal son.”

In short, the vision that Dostoyevsky wished to leave with his children was one of a love that is stronger than sin.


Gospel

It is this very same vision that has been left us by Jesus, who through all his words and works stated profoundly and forever God’s love for sinners.

Yes, God’s love is a love stronger and more powerful than sin and for this reason we need not harbor fear as we limp homeward for forgiveness.

Rather, our steps should be lighter and faster because we are encouraged to trust in a love that is beyond all measure.

Our way is gladdened because we know that the One who is waiting for us to arrive will welcome us, not with reproach, but with rejoicing, because we have made our way back, through forgiveness, to life.

Again, we have a story of God’s love, a love for us that is stronger than sin.


First Reading

That Joshua and the Israelites knew this same joy and cherished the promise of a new start is illustrated in today’s first reading.

Having arrived at a land they believe God has given them, they celebrate it as an event through which they have become a people liberated from slavery and bonded to God in a covenant of love.

True, they have proven themselves unworthy and unfaithful partners in this relationship with God before, but they have also learned that God is eager to reconcile and reinstate those who sincerely repent and return to him for forgiveness.

It is this vision of a loving and forgiving God that enables them to continue to repent and return more times than can be counted.

Again, we see this “love stronger than any sin” lived out.


Application

If it is indeed a “love stronger than any sin,” then no matter how much I have wronged or been wronged by infidelity with a friend,

No matter how much my vision of my marriage has been clouded by my or my spouses’ offenses,

No matter how hardened my heart has become because of long-held grudges,

There is one reality that is stronger than every disappointment, bitterness or ingrained mistrust that ties me down; it is that God’s love for you and me is stronger!

And God’s love for me, as seen and tasted and touched, in his son Jesus, draws me into the possibility of forgiveness and reconciliation.


How to Do It

To claim this forgiveness and reconciliation, we need only return to the story of the Prodigal Son and do what the son did, namely, (1) Come to my senses, (2) Admit my need, and (3) Limp home with repentance in my heart.

Despite all the mistakes he had made, the son can be credited for having enough sense to realize that no matter how great was his sin, his father’s love was greater still.

With only that awareness, that vision, to urge him homeward, the son does what so many of us do when we come to the point where we want to reconnect with family members or friends we have injured.

He practices what is called a soliloquy, a putting into the right words a little script with which to approach his father.

Of course, when the meeting finally takes place there’s no need for the rehearsed speech for it is the father who runs out to embrace him interrupting the soliloquy.

From clenched arms and through tears, he reinstates the boy as his son and calls for a celebration of one who was lost and now is found, one who was dead but lives again.


Conclusion

When the original audience heard this parable, how did they react?

For some, the parable was cause for rejoicing in the love and forgiveness of God. For others, the parable may have been like salt on a wound or a probe into their pride and self-satisfaction.

How will you and I respond to a love that is stronger than any one or all of our sins?

This coming Tuesday we will have our Lenten Penance Service: a great time to (1) Come to our senses, (2) Admit our need, and (3) Limp home with repentance in our heart.