“God is Good”

5th Sunday of Ordinary Time 2019

[Though this homily is from a different Sunday Lectionary Cycle and different year I wanted to share it just the same!]

There is a quote from the American spiritual writer and monk, Thomas Merton, that I feel really gets at the heart of any on-going conversion or spiritual transformation. Merton writes: “God does not love us because we are good. God loves us because God is good.” Now that is a quote that could quickly become cliche or even a bumper sticker, but I feel Merton’s words are more than just a pious thought or self-help slogan as they really do point out a profound truth regarding our relationship with God.

First, let’s look at the call of the prophet Isaiah, who in the midst of his heavenly vision is struck with the realization: “I am a man of unclean lips living among a people of unclean lips.” But when God poses the question: “Who will go for us? Who shall we send?” Isaiah quickly responds: “Here I am. Send me!” God chooses Isaiah not because Isaiah is good but because God is Good. And Isaiah offers himself, as he is, because he “knows” that truth.

Second, we can turn our eyes to the wonderful testimony of St. Paul in his 1st Letter to the Corinthians where he recalls the fundamental message of his mission and describes himself as “one untimely born.” Other translations say: “one abnormally born.”
And actually the Greek word St. Paul employs is: Ektroma, which is a much more graphic term referring to an “abortive birth.” Paul knows very well that, unlike the Apostle James or the others who walked with Jesus, he does not quite fit. He was made an apostle in a completely extraordinary way as someone no one would have ever expected to be an apostle. He is an apostle solely due to God’s grace. God chooses Paul not because Paul is good (and Paul knows this intimately) but because God is Good.

Finally, for another example let’s look to St. Peter and his call. Peter is going about his usual life, fishing, and he has come up empty after a long night of work. Jesus comes along and invites him to put out into the deep where he catches so many fish it is hard for the boat to bring them all ashore. Now, like Isaiah before him, Peter cries out: “Depart from me Lord for I am a sinful man.” And Jesus’ response is simple and clear: “Do not be afraid. From now on you will be catching men and women.” Notice what Jesus doesn’t say: “You’re right Peter! And once you have cleaned up your act I want you to be my intimate disciple.” No! God chooses Peter not because Peter is good but because God is Good.

It seems quite clear: Recognizing the realities of our human condition and our own particular struggles and sin is necessary but is NEVER the determining factor in regards to Jesus’ freedom to choose. He only says “Don’t be afraid!” God’s goodness alone can save us!

We can all labor under the delusion that “once I get it together then I’ll really follow Jesus, then I will really serve, then he will really love me.” But Merton’s words and the examples of our ancestors in the faith witness to something so much more wonderful and freeing: “God chooses us. God loves us. God is Good.” His goodness alone saves us and transforms us into the women and men we were always called to be. And somehow, mysteriously, that includes our frailty, our human struggle, and yes, even our sin.

In the end it is St. Paul who gets to the heart of the matter when he writes: “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has never been in vain.” No matter how “untimely” or “abnormal” the birth any of us may experience in our own on-going relationship with the Lord, we too can say with Paul: “I am what I am by the grace of God.”

I would encourage all of us to consider making those words our prayer: “By God’s grace I am what I am.” Because the more we come to believe that truth the more we will lift up others to see that truth in their own regard. God loves us not because we are good, but because God is Good. God’s grace toward each and everyone of us is never in vain.