God is the father who is willing to put up with his son's independent mind and wasteful habits until he finds himself in the mire of the pig pen and decides to come home on his own. Unfortunately, there are many Christians, particularly Catholics, who have an overwhelming sense of guilt and sinfulness. We place so much stress on Christian perfection that some feel completely unworthy of ever reaching that goal. Many people have been hurt by other Catholics or by priests and have left our numbers. They are still Christians, still members of the family of the church.
People can feel lost especially in large organizations which often seem cold and lonely.
That is precisely where the individual Catholic, you and I, must come into the picture and meet them at the door when they arrive. Surely that is true of our Church more than any other institution. Go to them, invite them back. Who knows, you may find yourself in the situation of being lost some day. No one should be without a home, in the world or in the church, especially now that we know from Jesus stories that God is willing to come after us if we are willing to follow Him home.