Some time ago, in an episode of the newspaper comic strip, FOR BETTER, FOR WORSE, 18- year- old Lizzy is excitedly preparing to go away to college. Lizzy’s 22-year-old brother Michael has been off on his own for four years, and is now about to graduate from college. Lizzy says to Michael, “No matter what, I can’t wait to move out of this place, Mike. I feel so tied down here, so . . . monitored! I want my freedom! I want to live in a new town, meet new people, experience new things! So, tell me, Michael, what’s the best part of being totally out there and independent and on your own?” Michael says quietly, “Coming home!”
As spouses, as mothers and fathers, as sisters and brothers, God has given us one another to create a safe, welcoming place called home. Home is the harbor that we should always be able to go to when storms batter our lives. Home should always be the shelter we can run to in times of danger. Home, (our home parish – St. Mary’s, Pylesville), should always be that one special place where we are always welcomed, forgiven and loved.
Christ caught Peter as he fell into the stormy sea. He promised to be with Peter and his church always. May we, as families, as fellow parishioners, be ready to reach out to catch one another, and be there for one another in the midst of life’s most treacherous and terrifying storms!