No Plan “B” with God!

The story goes that the risen Lord appears in the heavens complete with the wounds of his crucifixion.  He is greeted with a stunned, embarrassed silence.  In  the realm of time eternal it seemed as if the Archangel Gabriel had only just announced to Mary the arrival of the One who would be called great.  So it really fell to Gabriel to start some sort of conversation.  On questioning the Lord he received the story of his rejection and death.  He obviously would have wondered where his apostles were in the time of his greatest need.  So they fled for fear of their lives and  the leader among them told lies to save his bacon.  "Will people ever realize how much you loved them and who will spread the news"?  asked Gabriel.  "The apostles,” said the Lord.  At this stage you can imagine the Archangel Gabriel in complete wonderment scratching the back of his head with his wing tip!  "Is there a plan "B" asked Gabriel.  "No, I'm counting on them," said Jesus. And it has worked… Alleluia!

Of course the numbers are not what they used to be but then we have whole new groups of people of different ages and from all walks of life spreading the good news in an exciting way.  Shortly the Archbishop of Dublin will have an office of evangelization in the diocese. Here in St. Peter's we have twenty five groups bringing good news in religious and practical ways to others. Why not join one of them or why not consider starting one more to serve someone who may be overlooked in this busy world. Christ indeed counts on us, frail as we are…  He has no plan "B"!         

Fr. Michael McCullagh, C.M.

13th April, 2008