Some folks have heard me reflect on this before. But like our Gospels, it bears repeating.

 

Just after Bishop David Malloy was appointed to the Diocese of Rockford, local journalist Brian Leaf (now sadly deceased) asked to interview the incoming bishop. Bishop Malloy met with the skilled interviewer and candidly addressed his long list of questions. 

 

Leaf had a dry sense of humor and toward the end of the interview kind of jokingly asked Bishop Malloy where he stood on issues of the Church. Issues that include such things as divorce, abortion and same-sex marriage. 

 

Leaf said, “So I’m guessing the answer is still no to all that.” 

 

Bishop Malloy took a moment then said, “I’d like to talk about what the Church says yes to.” The bishop then proceeded to explain that the Church says yes to faithful, strong marriages, yes to life and yes to God’s natural design of the complementarity of men and women. 

 

I remember this interview because the bishop’s answer surprised the reporter and brought a smile to his face. I also remember thinking of how beautifully the bishop chose to share what Catholics believe. 

 

Last Sunday my pastor talked about the “yes’s of the Church” too. Because of my vivid memory of that interview the homily got my undivided attention. Especially when my pastor explained how no means yes in the context of parenthood. 

 

When a parent says no to a child reaching for the light socket, open flame or whatever, the parent is really saying yes to the safety and well-being of the child.

 

As we prepare for the beginning of Lent Feb. 26, we may be preparing to say “no” to sweets or snacking or a host of other little habits that obstruct our path to holiness. But is that enough?

 

Are we concentrating too much on our sacrifice rather than on the end? Will giving up that candy bar, ice cream or special dessert make me count the days until the end of Lent or help me focus on the fact that I am clearing away all the roadblocks from the road to Christ? 

 

Are we concentrating on how hungry we will be as we fast or will we concentrate on what we should be hungry for? Will we focus on the fact that we may be too young or too old and the fast and abstinence rules don’t apply and we are somehow “off the hook?” 

 

As we decide what to give up or what to add to our Lenten journey, how will we frame our path? Will all our no’s mean yes to something greater? 

 

What will we say yes to this Lent? 

 

Will we say yes, I want to be what God wants me to be?

 

Yes, I want to clear obstacles from my path to Christ?

 

Yes, I want to pray more so I can strengthen my relationship with God?

 

Yes, I want to confess sins and feel the freedom forgiveness offers?

 

Will my yes this Lent be unconditional?

 

It’s a great exercise to look at the teachings of the Catholic faith and of Christ from a perspective of freedom rather than restriction. Instead of viewing our teachings from the lens of sin and using the modern culture’s way of rationalizing why this or that is okay, perhaps we can use a parent’s lens and look at what benefit is offered to our life and eternal salvation.

 

God is our father and like every good parent He sees what is good for us and asks certain things of us.

So as God’s children we must ask ourselves, can we focus on how God has said yes to us?