What’s our role in the Effects of God’s Mercy? That’s the theme of today’s readings. And that’s the question we need to deal with as individual followers of Christ as well as a parish or institutional church.

The readings are all about “those people” –whom faithful Sunday Mass attendees might think of as unchurched—even unworthy—especially at Christmas and Easter time. Here is the irony: throughout the whole liturgical year, especially in the summer season, some Catholics including “me, myself and I” might wonder where have they all gone? As a priest it can be a wee bit uncomfortable when I run into folks at Stop and Shop, Dunkin Donuts, the movies or any other place. If they haven’t been to church in a long time there is a very odd interaction that’s about to happen: sometimes they avoid me like the plague, other times there is a string of excuses as to why they are so busy with soccer or girl scouts or hockey practice—whatever the event du jour might be that week—and sadly it is uncomfortable for them—and for me.

Some people like to refer to these people as the occasional Mass attendee as a CAPE Catholic (Christmas, Ash Wednesday, Palm Sunday and Easter). However, these are the very people that we regular Sunday Mass-goers ask about all the time when we say “where have they all gone?” That concern for them in June, July, August—and beyond—also needs to be present at Easter and Christmas when they are sitting there in “my” pew—the nerve of them!?

In today’s reading (Exodus) it is the context of the situations that should strike us. In the first reading God fed the “unfaithful” with manna and quail—in spite of their lack of trust in Him, not asking for the weekly envelope statistics or their card stamped with an attendance record. He granted them His mercy. In the Gospel today, Jesus does not withhold His teachings for only the benefit of the faithful, but is open to instructing all with His Truth, His Love, and His Mercy. Much like the Church today, we do not seek a baptismal certificate for entrance at night into a homeless shelter, we do not ask for a member ID number to receive a hot meal in the dead of winter, or a new coat for protection from the elements. It is mercy that is our prime motivator. However, Jesus does say that the lack of faith does have an impact on the person’s ability to accept the Mercy of God and thus its effects. As our Holy Father, Pope Francis, has declared a Year of Mercy beginning this fall, we are called to be providers of the Mercy of God and let it fall where it will; God will be in charge of the harvest. Kathi Bonner, our religious education director, repeatedly reminds her catechists in religious education that our job is to plant the seeds, God will do the rest. If we allow the discouragement of a bad day or the lack of interest of one person to derail us, what good will come of that? But if we trust in the Lord, then we can be like the farmer who sows the seeds—even generously on rocky land that he knows will not produce any fruit—if we do the work, He will reap the harvest.

Back to the “pew” violator at Christmas, perhaps rather than a stern look to greet them let us all offer them a welcoming smile and a “great to see you, Merry Christmas!” as that might be just the “mercy-filled expression of peace” that the fear-filled or “unworthy” person needs in order to become comfortable with getting closer to Christ. And isn’t that our true Christian goal?