As Your Father Is Merciful

Summary of a Fr. Gerry Creedon homily from February 18, 2007

"Be merciful as your Father is merciful." Luke 6:36

This gospel is about fathers, but I want to begin with my mother. On my recent birthday many parishioners offered me greetings. My family does not pay much heed to birthdays. In fact I heard from only one of my many siblings..It reminded me of my sister Nora Mary. She received a call on her birthday from my mother. She proceeded to tell Nora about the death of her dog. Toward the end of the conversation, Nora asked, "Ma, are you forgetting something?" " What would that be?" asked my mother. Nora said, "That today is my birthday!" "Oh," rejoined my mother, "I'll remember it from now on for it is the day the dog died!"

The scripture text for today parallels another from the New Testament,"Be perfect as your heavenly father is perfect." This idea of perfection can cause a lot of trouble. How many of us have struggled with a father who is satisfied with nothing less from his children, especially his sons, than perfection? Some men labor all their lives with the task of measuring up to a father's impossible expectations.

Somehow we expect mothers to be more merciful. This may be the basis of all those tales about the Mother of God getting people into heaven by the back door.

The word perfection as applied to God the Father is better translated as compassion. Be merciful as the Father is merciful. I have been blessed by a generous father. One time he was out collecting in the neighborhood for some good cause. One of our least liked teachers took him to task. She did not contribute and she took the opportunity to tell him some home truths. "Johnny Creedon," she advised,"You are a jelly fish. You have no backbone. You are a teddy-bear." Much chastised, he came home flabbergasted. We knew exactly what she meant. We knew he had principles he would die for, but no principle greater than,"Give a person a second chance."

Today we offer a booklet to every household for Lent, Henri Nouwen's reflections on the Prodigal Son. Many say the story should be relabeled, "The Prodigal Father." In the view of the elder brother, he was altogether too extravagant in his forgiveness. The motto of the Redmptorists who educated me was: "Copiosa apud eum redemptio," His redemption is generous. We wish they had. applied the motto more often! Jesus taught repeatedly that we need to replace the Pharisaic image of God, the tough task master, with the compassionate face of His Father.

We have trouble with the extreme nature of the Father's unconditional acceptance. Especially in a time of war, it is hard to hear the words,"Love your enemies and do good to them." It is like the instruction of the late Pope on a World Day of Peace, "Feed your enemy." It would certainly be cheaper.

Recently, a young soldier on his first day in Iraq was interviewed. He asked his superior, "What are the rules of combat?" The answer that had to be repeated was, "If it looks like the enemy, shoot it." The soldier commented, "Over here, everyone looks like the enemy". His comment points up the ethical dilemma of fighting in a guerrilla war or a civil war where few wear uniforms.

Even domestic situations make us question forgiveness. We have heard the story of the abused wife who complains to the priest and is told, "You made your bed, now lie in it. Just forgive him." Cheap grace cannot cover over abuse. Likewise we have trouble with soldiers punished for torture when those who create the policies go scot free. This is indulgence, not forgiveness.

While forgiveness is often beyond human understanding and can easily be misunderstood, it remains the final word. That is why we celebrate. The Haiti Choir was with us last night. They know how to sing the praises of Bon Dieu, the Good God. Despite the misery they endure, they are still convinced of God's surpassing goodness and dance before the Lord. It would be very un-Irish to dance outside the confessional box. Yet in the story of the prodigal son's return, we hear the father call for a party, "Let's celebrate!" The source of our worship is a God who surprises us with his bounty.

So we sing, "The Lord is kind and merciful!"