Gospel: Luke 5:1‐3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’”
Reflection
Today’s reading about the Prodigal Son makes me think about the role of reconciliation and forgiveness in my life. We all have a desire to reconcile ourselves with God, to right our wrongs, mend our broken relationship, and find our way home to Him. How often do we feel distanced from God? How many times have we found ourselves lost, both figuratively and literally? Our schedules are filled with a never-ending list of activities which don’t always include God. We fool ourselves into thinking that it’s no big deal to put God off until tomorrow.
The problem though is that once becomes twice and it seems easier and easier to put our will before God’s. We don’t all go off to distant lands and squander our money until we have nothing like the prodigal son, but, like him, we do find ourselves desperate and separated from our Father. The prodigal son shows us that trust, courage, humility, and faith will lead us home. We must not let fear and shame keep us from reconciling with God. And like the prodigal son, we are always welcomed back by God.
Every time I receive the Sacrament of Reconciliation, I am overwhelmed with feelings of relief, gratitude, and joy. I imagine these feelings are very similar to the ones felt by the prodigal son upon his return home.
Brian Barrett, St. Viator Catholic Community, Las Vegas
Viatorian Pre-Associate
- I pray that during this Lenten season, and even after, that we all actively seek our continued reconciliation with God. Throughout this Lenten season I am focusing on ways that I can strengthen my relationship with God. I will set aside time every day for my daily prayers; I will not be lazy and complacent. I will have compassion and patience with my family just as God has with me. Lastly, I will pray to know and understand God’s will for me so that I may live my life as he intended.