Reflection for Sunday – March 30, 2025

Cathy KampSunday Readings Homilies

Readings: Joshua 5: 9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5: 17-21, Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
Preacher: Cathy Glisson

I remember being on a Lenten retreat when the director asked us to choose one of the figures we most relate to from the Gospel of the Prodigal Son/Forgiving Father. Several of us chose the older son, perhaps it being human nature that we tend to see ourselves as never getting quite enough recognition for the good work that we do. The retreat director confessed that they often see themselves as the servant whose words could be interpreted as gleefully stirring the pot with the older son to expose family strife. I don’t remember any of us seeing ourselves in the role of the forgiving father or the repentant son. And yet, if we are to take to heart the words of St. Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, we are meant to  understand ourselves as needing to be reconciled to God and to be ambassadors for Christ.

Anyone who has ever worked with the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults (OCIA aka RCIA) knows the critical nature of being an ambassador for Christ with adults who are seeking Christ for the first time in Baptism and for those who are baptized but not catechized who wish to complete their initiation. OCIA coordinators and team members – lay and ordained – need to see themselves as on the journey with catechumens and candidates wherever they are starting from. I don’t think too many of us encounter people who have gone as far astray as the prodigal son, yet people may feel that they have. Are we intentional about being ambassadors for the forgiving, reconciling Christ?

At this time of year, with the OCIA elect, as well as all of the young people and their families who are preparing for Confirmation and First Eucharist, we can start to worry: will they come back to Mass after the sacramental celebration? Will they engage with the parish community? My pastor, Fr. Jim Schwartz, calls it the “third moment.” Preparation and celebration are the first two moments, but what about the third? As parish communities how good are we at engaging adults and young people in the third moment which is really the rest of our lives in Christ? Do people see the welcoming, joyful, forgiving father figure there to welcome them when they come back to church after a sacramental celebration?

Most parish communities would likely have to admit that we have a long way to go when it comes to focusing on the third moment and robust post-sacramental engagement. So where do we start?

I am a firm believer that we have the most success when we shift our focus away from lamentation on why people do not return to church. Rather, let’s focus on building community and friendship with people while they are in the first moment of preparing for sacraments.

OCIA gives us the most robust, iconic model for how to nurture growth in faith and relationship with Christ and each other. It is not rushed; it is meant to take as long as the candidate needs. It focuses on making the journey of faith alongside each other versus putting ourselves in the role of sage teachers. OCIA encourages apostolic service and participation in ritual along with learning. The order of rites provides people with touchstones to see themselves as embarking on a lifelong journey. Just by their presence at Mass for these rituals, they are beginning to evangelize, to proclaim their emerging faith for all to see and celebrate.

As someone who has been involved with OCIA ministry for more than a few years … one of my greatest joys happens Sunday after Sunday, Mass after Mass. That is when I see the growing families of people who may have gone through OCIA while engaged to be married. It is when I look out and see someone from the prior year who faithfully comes to Sunday Mass even though he has no family support, just his parish community. Another is helping to direct the children’s choir. It is at these moments when I don my stewardship hat to see how we can invite them to participate even more fully. The answer to a personal invitation with these new Catholics is rarely a no.

So as we continue to journey through these 40 days of Lent and look forward to the Easter season, let’s firmly resolve to let go of the negative expectations and turn our attention to being joyful, engaging ambassadors for Christ.

Cathy Kamp
Latest posts by Cathy Kamp (see all)
Share