I want to share a story that illuminates an essential aspect of our faith and the challenges we face in the world. It involves a preacher and a manufacturer of soaps who met on the streets. The manufacturer, with a sneer, questioned the effectiveness of the gospel preached by the preacher, pointing out the presence of many wicked people in the world. But the preacher responded with a thought-provoking analogy.
As they passed a child covered in dirt, making mud pies, the preacher pointed to the child and said, "George, your product can't be very effective, for there is still a lot of filth in the world." The manufacturer defended his soap, stating that it cleans only those to whom it is applied. The preacher's response was powerful: "Exactly!" The man was caught in his own trap.
This story resonates with the experience of many parents today who ask a similar question: "We have raised our children in the church, prayed with them at home, and provided them with the best we could offer. So why have they strayed?" These parents' hearts are broken by the waywardness of their sons and daughters, who find themselves in bad company, involved in drug scenes, and facing destructive consequences. We are deeply alarmed by the increasing number of overdose deaths each year, especially among young people. Some of the saddest funerals I have done are those of young people dying of overdose.
Need for Healing
Recent data reveals that in the United States alone, the number of annual overdose deaths has surpassed 70,000. Behind each statistic lies a story of pain, brokenness, and the desperate need for healing. It is easy to question the effectiveness of our efforts and the power of the Gospel in the face of such heartbreak and tragedy.
But let us not lose hope. Let us turn to the Lord in our need, as the Psalmist says in today’s reading (Psalm 69:33). Just as soap cleans only those to whom it is applied, God's Word is life-giving and has the power to save us from destruction—both in body and soul.
Outreach to Others
What more can we do to bring them back to God? It starts with fervent prayer, interceding for those caught in the grip of addiction. We must extend a compassionate hand, offering resources, support groups, and counseling services that guide them toward recovery. By collaborating with healthcare professionals, addiction specialists, and community organizations, we can make a tangible difference.
As parents, as a community, and as individuals, we must not waver in our resolve.
May God bless you all abundantly as we journey together on this path of compassion and transformation. Amen.
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.jpg "Father Pinto Paul, C.S.C.")