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God keeps seeking and finding us

By Father Dennis Meinen
View from the scooter

“I quit!”
Have you ever wanted to “call it quits” with God? Not long ago we met to celebrate the birthday of our nation. We learned more about an historical event of separation and independence from, what was known as, “Mother England.” There were parades, speeches and the evening skies were filled with fireworks. We love our independence. We celebrate as Catholics, an historical event of inclusion and dependence. We refer to the Church as “Holy Mother” and every time we gather to celebrate the Eucharist, we proclaim the Word, and celebrate our highest act of worship: the Eucharist.

So have you ever declared your independence from God? In 1859, Francis Thompson was born into a well-to-do Roman Catholic home. His parents wanted him to become a physician, a career he detested. He failed his exams three times and then fled to London. He failed every occupation he tried. Although his father sent a little money to him in care of a library, he was refused admission because he was so shabby. When he collapsed in the street, a prostitute rescued him. Wilfred Meynell who finally rescued Thompson printed some poems he scribbled on sugar paper. Under the care of a Franciscan community, Thompson escaped his drug addiction, but his health was permanently injured. The author of what has been called the greatest ode in the English language died on November 13, 1907. Had the "Hound of Heaven" cornered him for keeps?

“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears.”

Whenever we celebrate Independence Day, we can pray with our personal histories of distancing ourselves from God. We know that God keeps seeking and finding us, doesn’t He? We all have played games of independence from God and sometimes we think we have won. But God does not play games. God plays to win and that victory is our joy.

Last Independence Day I chose the gospel (Matthew 25:31-46) called the Last Judgment Scene when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, and he will sit upon his glorious throne as the Just Judge. Let us pray that we will be considered as righteous in the Lord’s sight and called to inherit eternal life!