Many historians consider Winston Churchill one of the greatest orators of the twentieth century. During dark years he rallied the British nation and the entire free world, to stand against Nazi barbarism. It is said, however, that he gave his most famous speech not during World War II, but afterwards. Supposedly, at a commencement ceremony, a speaker gave Churchill a long (and long-winded) introduction. Churchill walked to the podium and spoke softly, but firmly: "Never, never, never, never, never give up." He returned to his chair and sat down. The listeners were stunned silent, then one person brought his hands together. Immediately the entire crowd stood and started applauding and cheering wildly. Unfortunately for you, I will not be imitating Churchill's brevity in this homily!
There may be some legend in this story, but it does sum up the spirit of Winston Churchill. It also summarizes today's Scripture readings. Moses had every reason to give up on the Israelites. At the command of God, Moses had worked miracles and led the Israelites through the sea. But they quickly forgot God's mercy and began worshiping false gods. Moses, nevertheless, continued to intercede for them - and they got a second chance.
This reading might give us the impression that God was all set to destroy the Israelites and that Moses' prayer got him to change his mind. It is a little more complicated than that. The Israelites' behavior had brought destruction upon themselves, but as we heard in the Psalm, God is always ready to show mercy. He does not give up on us.
We see this Divine Mercy once again in the Gospel. Jesus describes an amazing father who does not give up on his ungrateful and impulsive son. Jesus tells us that God not only waits for us, he also goes out to actively seek us. He is like a shepherd trying to rescue a sheep that gets separated from the flock. Or like a woman who loses a coin and has to turn the house upside down to find it.
And let's face it. We often do not want to be found. We prefer to hide from God. In this regard, many people can identify with C. S. Lewis. As a young man he had become an atheist. But he had a nagging fear that God might actually exist. Lewis describes his state of mind with these words: "Amiable agnostics will talk cheerfully about 'man's search for God.' To me, as I then was, they might as well have talked about the mouse's search for the cat.”
We sometimes stay away from God, like a mouse hiding from a cat. But in C. S. Lewis' case, God did keep pursuing him. Eventually Lewis gave in to the Lord. He writes: "In 1929 I gave in, and admitted that God was God, and knelt and prayed." Lewis described himself as "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." Like the Good Shepherd, seeking the lost sheep, God did not give up on C. S. Lewis. Lewis in turn used his gifts to bring many others to Christ: by writing children's stories, science fiction and insightful explanations of the Christian faith.
In today's second reading, we hear about another convert, in this case, the most famous convert ever: a Pharisee named Saul from a city called Tarsus. We know him better as St. Paul the Apostle. Before Christ touched him, Paul engaged in some miserable behavior: arrogance, bullying and blasphemy. The worst thing he did was to encourage a mob to murder an innocent man. They did it by surrounding the young man and throwing large rocks at him. The man was Stephen, a deacon of the early Church. St. Paul was the main one responsible for the death of this promising young man. But, in spite of that crime, God did not give up on Paul. And by Paul's conversion he taught the Church one of its most important lessons: Sometimes our greatest enemies become our greatest apostles.
“Never, never, never, never, never give up.” Those words of Churchill, meant to inspire and encourage a nation weary of war and suffering, can also motivate us in the practice of our faith. God never gives up on us. Even when we run away from him by our sins. Even when we make the same mistakes over and over again. Even when we receive his gifts and blessings without gratitude. Even when we ignore him or get angry with him or any of the million other ways that humans have found to lash out at God and shut him out. God never ever, ever, ever gives up on us. That is what the cross means, that is the whole point of the life and death of Jesus Christ. There is only one catch to this incredible gift of God; we have to share it with others! Just as God never gives up on you and me, so too, we can never give up on anyone else. Remember that when you talk to people who are cold or hostile to our faith or the Christian way of life - our goal is not to win arguments, but to win souls. No matter how awful or unkind a person may be, never give up on another person. No matter how you feel about anyone, they still deserve your prayers. Never give up on anyone. That’s God’s view on us. Let’s make it philosophy for the world!
