Some time ago, a mother was talking to me about the struggles she was having raising children—especially teenagers: finances, attitudes, the culture in which Catholic parents are challenged to raise their children in, and more. After the conversation, I went immediately to the church and kneeled in the pew and thanked God for the easy life I have as a priest! Seriously, life can be very difficult—difficult for very good people who have good kids and who are trying to do what is right for their children (or other family members). To quote a wise person, “It ain’t easy!”

Today’s first reading from 2 Chronicles presents a similar story for God Himself. God is illustrated as a loving Father having a difficult time “getting through” to His children. God has done everything He can for His children in an attempt to win their love and affection; He has sent different messengers to His children to make His point—and the children mock and ridicule them; He has tried punishment and exile—and the just excel at doing the wrong things and practicing bad behavior with more expertise; and, finally God turns to a pagan ruler, King Cyrus, for help. In the second reading, from Ephesians, we hear the same theme: God is rich in mercy and forgiveness, and
because of His great love for us, He has raised us up even when we were “dead in sin” to a “new life in Christ.” At our lowest point—just as when our children are acting out in the worst way—God shows us love…but a love with a dose of reality… “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so no one may boast. For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works that God has prepared in advance, that we should live in them.” Here God infuses the love of a parent with the reality that what we are—and what we are called to be—are not of our own doing—no matter how “wonderful” we may see ourselves—but our “uniqueness” or “specialness” is because we are chosen and marked by God as His adopted son or His adopted daughter. God reminds us that we are His—His
children—and while God wants to be our “friend” in eternity, He is more than a “buddy” but is our God-friend-Creator. And that is how parents imitate God’s “fatherly or motherly” love here on earth: ultimate love, immense compassion, and His magnificent forgiveness—but offered in the reality of the world He created and called us, His children, into. A great Lenten lesson!

In today’s Johannine Gospel, this theme of parental love mixed with reality in familial relationships is further cemented: For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him will not be condemned, but whoever does not believe has already been condemned, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. Thus, God is love. God is mercy. God is just also. The overall theme is that love and mercy is wrapped in justice since God always calls us to His light, which is truth—even when the truth is difficult, even when it is inconvenient, even when it puts a wet blanket on what “I’d rather do.” Let us remember the ending of His command: “Neither do I condemn you, but go and sin no more.” Come to the Light, the Truth, and the Way…home to God. May the remaining weeks of Lent give us the heavenly wisdom and human courage to follow Christ in our lives—offering compassion and forgiveness—with justice.

Life isn’t always easy or joyful, whether dealing with issues a rebellious child, caring for aging parents, living within a stressful marriage, or dealing with a serious health issue. But we are not alone! God is with us and knows what we are going through—He is not a distant God, but one who sent His only Son to be with us and to show us how we can count on God. It is up to us to ask God for help, and then to listen to Him speak to us in the silence of our hearts. Building up the wherewithal to act in Truth and with courage. In the end, He will make all things anew—making us who believe and follow Him—in His likeness and im-age perfectly. Allow Lent be a new beginning toward that end.