I am with you always, to the end of time

Years ago, kids could ride just about anywhere in a car. Many remember, as a small child, standing next to mom or dad as they drove. Heck, the 1960 Chevy Corvair boasted a dash baby cradle. I have a memory of stretching out at the rear window as Dad drove. It was night, and as the car whispered along, I lay back there in silence watching the dazzling stars.

My attention was solely on the heavens. I had no concern about my safety or worries of an accident. After all, my father was driving the car. He was a grown-up, would stay awake, and he loved me. I was surely safe; all I had to do was enjoy the stars. I could even go to sleep if I wanted to.

I rarely grasp the opportunity to hear a homily by Pope Francis. I did come across one that he delivered on Father’s Day. It was quite interesting, beyond being inspiring. He noted the simple content of the Good News. You know, the Gospel—not the book, but the message Jesus spoke and commanded his followers to proclaim. Do you remember the message? If asked to briefly summarize the Gospel, most Christians would probably say, “Jesus died to forgive our sins so we could live forever with God in Heaven.” That’s a fair answer; but it is not what Matthew recorded.

Pope Francis points out that when Jesus sent out his disciples, he asked them to proclaim just one thing: “As you go, proclaim the good news. The kingdom of heaven has come near” (10:7). By the way, this is the same gospel with which Jesus began his own ministry: “From that time, Jesus began to proclaim, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.’ ” Francis puts it in these words: “…the kingdom of God, that is, his lordship of love, has come near, it comes in our midst. And this is not just one piece of news among others, no, but the fundamental reality of life: the vicinity of God, the vicinity of Jesus!”

Then he concludes: “Let us remain with this image, because proclaiming God as close to us is inviting you to think like a child, who walks held by his father’s hand: (Or sleeps while his father drives). The world, large and mysterious, becomes familiar and secure because the child knows he is protected.”

Pastor James Moore of Houston tells of a young man whose wife had died, leaving him with a small son. Back home from the cemetery, they went to bed early because there was nothing else he could bear to do. As he lay there in the darkness, grief-stricken and heartbroken, the little boy broke the stillness from his little bed with a disturbing question, “Daddy, where is mommy?”

The father got up and brought the little boy to bed with him, but the child was still disturbed and restless, occasionally asking questions such as, “Why isn’t she here?” and, “When is she coming back?” Finally, the little boy said, “Daddy, if your face is toward me, I think I can go to sleep now.” In a little while, he was quiet.

The father lay there in the darkness, and then in childlike faith, prayed this prayer: “O God, I don’t see how I can survive this. The future looks so miserable, but if Your face is toward me, somehow I think I can make it.”

Mat thew conclude s his own good news with these peace-bestowing, strength-giving words of Jesus: “And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”