Getting the Roster Right
Thoughts on the Second Reading – Joe Frankenfield
Feast of the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary & Joseph
1 John 3:1-2, 21-24

How large is our family? That’s always an uncomfortable question for religions. The larger a religion’s communication circle the more acute the issue. Who belongs? Who’s related? Who’s out? Who’s on the outs? Who’s special?

And through it all, God just keeps on creating everyone.

What do we do with people who don’t worship like we do? What if they don’t believe what we do? If we let them in the family, won’t folks think we don’t care? What if they don’t even think of God like we think of God? What if they don’t even call God God? Won’t God think we don’t care?

And God just keeps on creating everyone.

What about people who think they’re right when we know they’re wrong? How can we invite them to the table? If we make them welcome, won’t we look weak? And what if we get into a fight with them, will God be on our side or theirs? How can we fight them if God is on their side too? How will they ever take us seriously if they think that God loves them just as much as us? If we say God is on their side too, does that mean that God doesn’t care who’s right? Aren’t we special to God because we’re defending what’s right?

And God just keeps on creating everyone.

We’re God’s people. God chose us; he couldn’t have chosen others too, could he? If we’re not God’s only chosen, are we really chosen? How can people who don’t like us also be God’s people? If everyone’s in the family, what does it mean to be family? Sooner or later, won’t we forget who we are? Sooner or later, won’t we forget God?

And babies keep coming, people keep finding love and God keeps on creating everyone.

Maybe God doesn’t understand. Or maybe . . .