SECOND CHANCES

I had the privilege to be on the organizational team for a program called Space Coast Youthbuild.  The program was a collaboration between several community not-for-profit organizations with the goal to give a second chance for at-risk youths, ages 16-24, whom never completed their high school diploma, found themselves in trouble with law enforcement and having the desire to move beyond their mistakes.   The goal of the program; to guide the participants to study and earn a GED, give them life skills, counseling if needed, and workforce experience by building houses with Habitat for Humanity.

The early challenges with the program was the disparity in treatment the participants experienced between the job site, which was full of encouragement and human dignity lessons, and the college campus, where they were treated like the thugs they were perceived to be, often based on their past and the way they dressed.

St. Mark was the cousin of St. Barnabas (Col 4:10), joined St. Paul and St. Barnabas on their first missionary journey to Antioch.   But when the group reached Cyprus, Mark left them and returned to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13).  This incident caused Paul to question whether Mark could be a reliable missionary.  So, when it was time for their second missionary journey, Paul refused to let Mark accompany them.   In Paul’s eyes, Mark had deserted the cause and couldn’t be trusted.  Thankfully, Barnabas didn’t give up on Mark.

While Paul went on to Syria, Barnabas took Mark to Cyprus, and this second chance is all Mark needed.   Tradition tells us that Mark went on to Rome eventually writing the first Gospel based on the teachings of St. Peter becoming the basic source for both Gospels of Matthew and Luke.    For the Youthbuild participants it was the difference between daily survival and developing the ability to dream of a brighter future.

What would have happened if Barnabas didn’t give Mark a second chance?   What would happen to the at-risk youths if Youthbuild didn’t give them a second chance?  What would happen to our second chances without the Sacrament of Reconciliation?

Jesus commissions us to “Go into the whole world and proclaim the Gospel to every creature.” (Mk 16:15) There are a lot of people in need of a second chance within the Church and parish community, and there are a lot of people who were wounded by the Church that might give US a second chance IF they were met with eyes of mercy and patience, and IF they were greeted with arms of forgiveness and a willingness to reconcile.  Meaning, we have to “Clothe ourselves with humility in our dealings with one another” (1 Pt 5:5) to encourage and give, ourselves and others, second chances to enter the Easter joy.