Of Slavery and Grace

The image of people worshipping a molten calf in Exodus is disturbing to us who live in the 21st Century, perhaps because it is something that was only done by people who were "uncivilized" or "godless."  Although we in our world do not worship as such, it is clear that many in our society have become slaves to the idols of money, social media, various addictions, and power. Pope Francis even warns those who are practicing of the faith of idolatry when we make shape our image of God to conform to our needs, our desires and comforts. As football season begins we hear some referring to football as religion as the favorite team becomes the center of life for hardcore fans with all of the fanfare, memorabilia, and life revolving around the games being played Saturday and Sunday. Don't get me wrong, I myself am a football fan, but it is not the center of my life. We  also hear of the prodigal son becoming consumed in a life of idolatry spending his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
All of these brings to mind the word slavery.  Not in the historical sense, but in the sense that a person becomes inextricably bonded to a vice or habit.  I have heard of countless homilies that warn of this. Many who have families are consumed by their own children's sporting activities, soccer, baseball, football, etc.  to the point where attending Mass is secondary. Those consumed by a culture of work that demands incessantly that everything must take a back seat to the job become slaves as well. Anyone familiar with addictions can readily identify to the idea of slavery as well as the addiction bonds them to the point where everything else becomes secondary; family, work, and most importantly God.  The person becomes a walking disconnection as nothing else matters but the habit or activity.

However, much like the prodigal son in today's Gospel there is hope. Longing for the better life, at the lowest point of existence, the son stands resolutely and makes his way back to his father.  Amends are made and the father who never lost hope celebrates his lost son coming home with a celebration. We hear of stories of recovery from those who have hit these rock bottoms of life to return to a normalcy. They have found that idolatry and slavery did not provide the fulfilling life once desired. Grace has prevailed. Many of them are welcome back to their own families in a new way of life. Perhaps there is a lesson to be learned here.  A careful examination of life just might reveal an issue that has consumed one's existence. In this Year of Mercy priests worldwide have been advocating the return to  the confessional as a step in the reconciliation process.  As one who avoided this process for years and who was overcome with guilt of my own brokenness and sinfulness when I did attend, I can attest to the experience of son in the Gospel.  It was not until I fully accepted the loving mercy of God did I feel the fulfillment of grace.

The paradox of this experience also presented a challenge of living out the rest of the Gospel passage. As I had and to this day experience God's grace of forgiveness, so to must I also extend this to others. Therein lies the challenge.