Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time

Maryknoll Sr. Maureen Hanahoe reflects on God’s merciful love.

How do we evaluate the quality of our lives?  Is it through our comparison with others and a sense of self- righteousness, or is it through the willingness to accept  who we are with honesty and transparency, embracing both our strengths and limitations, knowing we are loved by a merciful and compassionate God.

The readings from this week’s liturgy, speak to this theme.  The Book of Sirac invites us to reflect on the true justice of God.  God listens to the authentic cry of one in need, and is not influenced by money, status, or hidden agendas. God seeks integrity of life and not pretense. God defends the cause of the poor with compassion and mercy. We are reminded that it is “the one who serves God with a whole heart, who will be accepted” (Sirac 35:16)

In his letter to the Thessalonians, Paul, in the evening of his life, reflects with deep gratitude on a life fully lived, with a wholeness of heart.  His life’s work was his witness to the Gospel of the Risen Christ.  Amidst trials and difficulties, he lived what he preached, through his faith, love, patience and peacefulness.  Through his struggles and experiences of abandonment, Paul came to know the power of Christ in his weakness. “ I will boast most gladly of my weakness, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me.” (2 Corinthians 12:10)

The Gospel of Luke reveals the gift of this journey to inner truth.  The tax collector knew himself and knew the love and mercy of God.  Through his prayer, he was in deep communion with God.  His exaltation was his inner freedom. “If you hold to my teachings, you will be my disciples and you will know the truth and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32)

These readings came to life for me, as I remembered an encounter, which I had several years ago.  Caring for my dad, during the last years of his life, I was surprised by an invitation to join a diocesan team dedicated to prison ministry in a local correction facility. 

Have you ever entered a prison?  It initially can be very daunting and disorienting as you are passed through security and enter a space with iron doors clanging behind you.  It was here that I encountered a very frightened young man, 19 years of age, who was recently sentenced to twelve years in prison for gang affiliation and drug trafficking.  Although our initial encounter was brief, I promised to visit him on a monthly basis.

As we grew in relationship, he revealed his vulnerability, sharing an early childhood of poverty; the rejection of an alcoholic father;  and helplessness before ongoing physical abuse.  Filled with repressed anger and despair for his plight, he left home at an early age, where he encountered other young men who, like himself,  projected their anger in violence toward others. As he gradually shared his story and cried out to God for assistance, a greater inner clarity began to surface.  Not only could he understand the self- rejection and repressed anger, which grew out of a life of abuse, but he could also gradually admit how this anger, projected on others, had caused extreme harm.

Like the tax collector, in the Gospel of Luke, he was able to experience the merciful and compassionate love of God as he would both forgive his father and ask forgiveness for himself. Now with a new vision and a deep trust in God, he made the decision to request dismissal from gang membership and all gang activity.

After twelve years of suffering this young man left prison, transformed.  He was not only released into society, but he was now rooted in a deep faith in God; self -knowledge; compassion for himself and others; and a wisdom to make new choices.  Through the grace of God, he came to know the Truth and it was this inner Truth that made him free.

Maryknoll Sr. Maureen Hanahoe served in Chile and Peru in health care ministries and on a Spiritual Direction Team.  She currently lives at the Maryknoll Sisters Center in New York, where she offers spiritual direction.

Photo: Person kneeling in prayerful contemplation in nature, available in the public domain via Pixabay.