Because today’s Gospel has the theme of reconciliation within a family, perhaps we could examine two realities: Reflect on who irritates us here at St. Anthony’s, and talk about our family finances at the end.

First, when we come to Mass, is there anyone who irritates us?  What do they do?  I can’t help but smile when I think of all the little things that people do that bother me.  Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to name someone or something that bothers us, because He wants to heal our heart and that relationship.

The Gospel is the famous Parable of the Prodigal Son, but many scholars have more accurately entitled it The Parable of the Two Brothers and the Good Father, because, when we look at the text, the prodigal son only features in the first part, the father is in the whole parable, and the second part is about the elder brother.

“Now his elder son was in the field [because he’s good and obedient]; and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing [the Church Fathers saw this as the Mass because the Mass is a celebration.  This is why we’re focused today on loving each other during Mass]…  Then the elder son became angry and refused to go in [sometimes we may not want to go to Mass because of people].  His father came out and began to plead with him [God the Father comes to us, wanting to heal our hearts].  But he answered his father, ‘Listen!  For all these years I have been working like a slave for you, and I have never disobeyed your command; yet you have never given me even a young goat so that I might celebrate with my friends.  But when this son of yours came back, who has devoured your property with prostitutes, you killed the fatted calf for him!’” (Lk 15:25,28-30).  The elder son sees himself as a slave, not a son.  He does what his father wants but doesn’t share his father’s heart, specifically, he doesn’t love his younger brother the way the father does.

When we come to Mass out of obedience, this is great, but it has to go deeper.  We want to be joyful like God the Father, so how joyful are we during Mass?  And, do we let other people sap our joy?  I do.

The elder brother is resentful towards his younger brother.  He’s correct: His younger brother is an obnoxious sinner who’s had a change of heart but is no saint.  So, too, we may be resentful towards someone else.

But here’s the main point today: to have the heart of God the Father towards others: “Then the father said to him, ‘Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.  But we had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has come to life; he was lost and has been found’” (15:31-32).  Jesus has given us everything; we lack nothing we truly need.  Consequently, there’s no good reason to be irritated with other people at Mass.  Shouldn’t we be happy that imperfect people are here?

Now, we shouldn’t be happy with poor behaviour at Mass.  It’s irritating when cell phones go off; it’s disrespectful when we receive Communion without reverence; it’s not respectful to others if we don’t have good hygiene; it’s rude to be talking in church without reason.  Yet our job is to love and help each other improve: We remind people with a smile to turn off their phones; I’m going to go over how to receive Communion with love; we may even have to tell people gently and privately if there’s a body odor struggle (And if we’re not good at correcting people, let someone else do it).

However, here’s the key: When we have the heart of God the Father, other people’s behaviour doesn’t take away our joy, and we’re happy that people are here even when we need to help them improve!

This is one of the gifts of the Sign of Peace.  When we wish people the peace of Christ, His peace flows into us and then to others.  And we receive other people’s peace as if from Christ.

I remember talking to a nun whose community celebrates the extraordinary form of the Mass.  She was very mature: She admitted to being too concerned about details, like errors in music, the vestments not being straight.  It’s a sign of spiritual immaturity when we let things distract us from the heart of Mass.

Today, we’re in the fourth of our series on the five systems of a church, considering Community.  We’re very blessed to have our Name Tag Sundays, which help all of us, and to have 126 people in Life Groups, but I’ve heard there’s a hunger for more Sunday brunches.  So, we have some strong points and some things on which to work.  At the end of Mass, Nancy May will give an update regarding our November Banquet!

One blessing of being part of a parish family is that it develops virtue.  Having to live with others and put up with imperfect people can make us saints.  This is the danger of parish hopping.  We go to different parishes out of convenience, which doesn’t help us grow.  So, commit to a community where you grow and help others grow in holiness.

Finally, as mentioned a few weeks ago, just as every family does, once a year, we have a discussion about family finances.  Next week, Cornell, our Finance Council Chair, is going to update us that we solved our deficit budget from last year.  He’s been holding me and all leaders accountable because he’s passionate about honouring your sacrificial giving.  When it comes to our Parish Centre, contractors are always happy to charge us more, but he holds them accountable, saving us already a few million dollars.

That said, I, as your priest, want more for you.  I want to give you more, offer people more, in order to become saints!  So, here’s the practical question: By Easter, would you please consider how much you’re giving weekly to the Sunday collection, which funds our spiritual ministries?  We need to hire more staff (like youth ministry, RCIA, and at the senior leadership level), to lead 1,016 people, 434 disciples, and our guests, but, to be fiscally responsible, we can’t move forward without an increase in giving.  Please pray: Should you increase it, keep it the same, or decrease it?  I am asking for an increase in giving, but everyone’s financial situation is different, and I don’t want anyone to suffer financially.  Just do what Jesus wants—if we do, we all win.  In the pews is a weekly donation table, which helps us know our percentage of giving.  And, no matter what, thank you for your giving!  Many of the blessings we experience are because of your sacrificial giving and because of our community.

Our parish family is like the two brothers and the Good Father: We’re called together by God but still hurt each other.  Remember what Matthew Kelly says, ‘There’s no such thing as a perfect church.  If you find a perfect church, go join it.  It won’t be perfect anymore.’  We all need to grow and help this family grow.  Let’s have the heart of God the Father for everyone.