On some days, I look at the picture of the Sacred Heart in my apartment, and ask; Was I on the right path in 1998? I have said many times, I have not met a burning bush, but God does know how to reach me. The news, homilies, and an occasional cat are primary channels! Once, long before I wrote my workshop request, a Deacon pointed to several of us during the homily and said "You are a lamb of God." We were all very active at the Parish. Well we do know what happened to the real Lamb of God, so I took notice.
It was that year the "fan" became covered with the proverbial stuff. Following Jesus is not always an easy task. Prayer and listening are musts!
I listen to daily Mass most days. Today was no different, so I turned on YT to televised Masses, one from America and one from Canada. Today I was just prepared to "get it over with", especially the homily. But as usual when I take the laisse fair attitude about the homily, the Priests steps up to the plate.
Canada has different holidays and sometimes intentions at Mass then we do in America. August 10 in Canada is Prisoner's Justice Day. As the priest opened the Mass, he talked about the significance of the day. I was prepared to be annoyed or underwhelmed.
I am not soft on crime. I believe in Justice and Mercy. Justice I believe needs to come first. I am not sorry to see people get life in prison for crimes. The one reason I wrote against the death penalty in NJ was not because of the guilty, but because of the innocent without due process given. I am not really sorry to see the criminal taken down because there are NO victimless crimes.
With the most recent school shooting trial in Georgia then the most recent school shooting by a 14 year old in Thailand, "a that's ok honey homily", would have made me sick because I do not follow a wimpy God. Jesus only offered paradise to one of the thieves.
The priest's homily talked about restorative justice for the victims. He said how whole communities are impacted by crime. We see how a whole nation is impacted by crimes.
The priest did not ignore the prisoner's plight, but his words did not excuse the crimes. The homily is worth a listen so I am sharing.
Pray always. It is true if we pray for our enemies, we can not hate them. I am proof positive of that. Does it mean that I forget? Obviously I do not. Forgive and forget is nonsense. We have to remember to warn or help others or prevent other crimes.
One of the greatest takes for me from 1998, besides how God sees the bigger picture and gives us pieces of the puzzle, is that he is a God of Justice and Mercy.
Do not be fooled by the ignorant.
Be a lamb of action!
I remommend for motivation, besides listening to the homily part of the Mass in the link, an uplifting movie on lambs and sheep, watch:
The Sheep Detectives!
It is a crime comedy/drama. Keep an eye on the littlest lamb, the outcast. Good for the whole family!
We are lambs of God.
Love,
Marian
August 10, 2026