“For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all peoples.” Isaiah 56:7
God welcomes all his creation to his house. We’re all invited. There’s no exclusivity in the Lord’s house; He wants to gather all his children to him. As the hymn goes: “Gather us in, the lost and forsaken … Gather us in, the blind and the lame … Gather us in, the rich and the haughty … Gather us in, the proud and the strong,” for we’re all broken and sinners in need of his mercy and love. His house is a place where all are welcome to be healed and loved. However, we – believers – sometimes tend to put up walls; we judge others and make them feel unwelcome into our Church or community, as if we’ve forgotten that we too are rich and haughty, proud and strong. Judgement is in God’s hand not our hands, and so, we welcome others and find ways to lead them to Christ.
On the flip side, people come wanting to be welcomed, but they may enter the Lord’s house, still holding on to their terms, not seeking change. Yes, God is welcoming, but it’s not on our terms or demands but in accordance to his will and love. Here’s where many get it wrong because one comes with their own definition of what love means, or they arrive demanding certain things from their relationship with God, yet they fail to realize that He’s in charge. His power heals all, and his wisdom is beyond our understanding. It’s He who knows what’s best, and it’s his thoughts, his precepts, and his love that will heal and make us whole – for remember, we’re all broken … we’re all the rich and haughty, proud and strong. Coming into the house of the Lord, we arrive at this belief and trust in God. That’s faith! So, yes all are welcome; all are gathered, but faith is essential as the woman in today’s Gospel demonstrated – a faith that surrenders everything to God even our personal feelings, judgements, ideas, demands, or agenda. He’s in control and not us. We’re the one’s in need of healing and change, not God.
This week, the Church offers a good example of welcoming God’s children to the faith in Saint Pope Pius X. It is said that “his humble background was no obstacle in relating to a personal God and to people whom he loved genuinely. Saint Pius X gained his strength, his gentleness and warmth for people from the source of all gifts, the Spirit of Jesus.” He was at the forefront of denouncing the ill-treatment of indigenous people, sending relief to areas suffering catastrophic natural events, and sheltering refugees no matter their faith – because that’s what love does and that’s how love draws people to Christ. His example shows us then how we, too, must help “restore all things in Christ,” especially the wounded people of God. Saint Pope Pius X … pray for us.
In Christ
Fr Robert Marquez
Parochial Administrator – Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Community