March 30, 2003

During Lent, we have seen that Baptism is like being saved from a flood and that it invites us to place our fait and our allegiance entirely in Christ. Today we see that through the grace of Baptism we can also leave the exile of darkness behind and come home to live in the light of Christ.

Andrea had done everything her parents had warned her against and had lied to cover it up. But it is impossible to keep a secret in a small town, so she stopped talking to them. When they continued nagging her, she moved out forever telling her parents she did not have a family anymore. Eight months later, broke and lonely she chanced to see her father on the street. Certainly he would condemn her. She turned away - too late. Hello Andrea, how have you been? Andrea could not contain her tears when she heard the words. Sweetheart, your mom and I would love for you to come home.

What must it have been like for the Israelites to learn that they were free to go home from the exile? No questions asked. All debts forgiven. A new beginning. If we can imagine their joy and gratitude perhaps we can understand more deeply the tremendous gift we have been given in Baptism. God's mercy gives us the courage to leave our self-imposed exiles and come home.

Jesus' words to Nicodemus can help us understand why we don't always come toward the light. Sometimes we prefer the darkness even though it exiles us from those we love. More often we might fear being condemned if our deeds are brought to light or we may simply be unable to find our way in the dark. That is when we need the light of Christ to help us believe once more in God's merciful love.

SO THE QUESTION: WHAT STORY DO YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE'S COMING HOME? HOD DID GOD HELP IN THIS?

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