“It Is Never Too Late; God Waits For You”
Dear Friends in Christ,
What a beautiful time this is! On September 24th, we celebrate something wonderful: Archbishop Fulton Sheen will become a Blessed, a saint almost! This is a big moment for our Church and for America. And this Sunday, the Word of God speaks directly to what made Fulton Sheen so important to us.
God Is Calling You (Isaiah 55:6-9)
The Prophet Isaiah speaks to us like a father: “Turn to the LORD. He will have mercy on you. Come back to God. He wants to forgive you.”
You see the beauty? God does not say, ‘You must be perfect first.’ He does not say, ‘You have failed too much.’ He simply says: Come. I am here. I will forgive.
This was the great gift of Blessed Fulton Sheen. He told America: God has not abandoned you. Turn to Him. He is waiting.
Bishop Sheen went on television, which was the new thing at that time, and spoke to millions of American families in their homes. His show “Life Is Worth Living” was on television from 1952 to 1957. He spoke about faith and living a good life. Millions watched him. Why? Because he made God real. He made God close. He spoke in simple words. He did not wait. He went to the people.
Why Does This Matter For Us?
In Bishop Sheen’s time, America was changing. Many people were losing faith. The world was becoming hard. But Sheen did not say, ‘America is bad. Give up.’ Instead, he said something beautiful: God loves America. God loves you. Come home.
He used the tools of his time: television, radio – to bring Christ to people. He met them where they were. This is what we must do too.
A Simple Story From Jesus (Matthew 20:1-16a)
A story Jesus tells us: A man owns a vineyard. He needs workers for the day. Early in the morning, he hires some workers for daily wage. At nine o’clock, he hires more. At noon, more workers. At three o’clock, more workers. And even at five o’clock, just before the end of the day, he hires more workers.
When the day is finished, he pays everyone the same wage.
The workers who came early in the morning are angry. “These last ones worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us, who bore the day’s burden and the heat.”
But the owner says: “My friend, I am not cheating you. Did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what is yours and go. What if I wish to give this last one the same as you? Or am I not free to do as I wish with my own money? Are you envious because I am generous?”
What Does This Mean:
Jesus is telling us something very important: God’s love is not like money we earn by working hard. God’s love is a gift. We do not earn it. We receive it.
Maybe you have been Catholic your whole life. Maybe you have just come back to God. Maybe you are just starting to believe. It does not matter. God’s gift is the same for everyone. His love is the same. His forgiveness is the same.
Blessed Sheen Showed Us This:
This is what Blessed Fulton Sheen taught America. He did not say, “You must be perfect to come to God.” He said, “God is merciful. God is waiting for you. Come home.”
He showed us that we can use our time’s tools to bring Christ to people. He used television. We can use our words, our example, our kindness, our families, our work. We can show people that God is real, and God is merciful.
Dear friends, as we celebrate Blessed Sheen, let us ask ourselves:
Where in my life do I find it hard to believe God forgives me? What would change if I truly confessed my sins and accepted His mercy today?
Blessed Sheen used television to bring Christ to people. What can I use – my words, my actions, my example to show God’s love to those around me?
Jesus teaches that God’s love is a free gift, not something we earn. Do I treat God’s love like something I must deserve, or do I accept it as a gift?
May God bless you all!