The patron saint of parish priests was himself a parish priest in Ars, France. St. John Vianney. He was known for his charism, his gift, of being able to convey God's loving forgiveness to others. Supposedly at times he even knew sins before they were confessed. A woman tells of how he sought her out in the market square to say that her husband had repented between the bridge and the water. This woman was distraught because her husband had jumped from the bridge.

Last week and now again, the scriptures teach us God's mercy is beyond our comprehension. Today we hear how it is never too late and no sin is too great for God to forgive: not infidelity, murder, cheating, abortion nor sexual sins -NOTHING!

The prophet Ezekiel devoted his life trying to get the Hebrew people to accept the reality of the exile, AND to realize that pursuing an alliance with Egypt to regain their independence was futile. Their only hope is to be found in reestablishing a right relationship with God. Earlier verses offer clear examples of the kind of virtue God seeks: attachment to God alone, respect for the rights of others, generosity to those less fortunate. God call every person to exhibit this kind of behavior. Ezekiel's audience declares God's ways unfair. The bottom line - Ezekiel wants them to see, regardless of past behavior, past mistakes, you now have the opportunity to repent and live.

The gospel parable is about two sons, one who pays lip-service and one who is just lippy. The point of the parable is clear - forgiveness is here when we change our ways, and desire to return to the Lord.

Scripture sometimes refers to God's mercy as rain coming down upon us. Do we open our umbrella? Or, are we like children, standing with mouths wide open and arms out-stretched so as to be soaked in God's forgiveness, inside and out.

In the second reading, Paul says we are to have the same attitude as Christ Jesus: compassionate, merciful, loving, humble and serving others. From the cross, Jesus extended mercy to the good thief and forgiveness to those who crucified him.

Who needs our mercy today? Who are the outcasts that we need to embrace?

I am inspired by:

A parish that, even in economic crisis, tithes over 7% of weekly over to others

The volunteers who interview the hundreds that come to STA for rental/utility assistance

An engineer alum, who for 17 years as been the catholic volunteer chaplain at LosAngelos prison

Those who buy and prepare meals at ERP and Food at First

The many alumni who gave a year of service after graduation

Those who volunteer at Birthright

Our Knights of Columbus, especially in their outreach to the intellectually challenged

Students who give time to prepare, staff and run retreat weekends

I think today's parable challenges us to envision a new world, a new creation where people are open to God's mercy and are conduits to others. We are challenged to open our umbrellas UPSIDE-DOWN and to share God's abundant forgiveness and love with others.

And for that mission, we need strength - the power of the Holy Spirit and the Bread come down from heaven. Let us open our hearts and our mouths to be feed.