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Sunday, March 31, 2019
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you:
I am no longer worthy to be called your son.”
Luke 15:21 (NRSV)Today’s gospel is the story of the Prodigal Son. We hear about the youngest son who leaves with his share of inheritance and squanders it away. The older son is loyal, obedient and continues to work in the fields with the father. We see a father who grieves the loss of a child, continues to watch for his return and then lavishes him with gifts and a celebration upon his homecoming. Are we like the young son who seeks worldly self-fulfillment, fame, wealth and leaves God out of our lives? Or are we like the elder son who works hard, performs our duties, carries out our obligations but becomes resentful, jealous, and unkind when others receive acclamations, awards, and celebrations? How often have we been like the father-forgiving, loving, welcoming and compassionate? If we are honest with ourselves, we have been both sons, and not so much like the Father. Henri Nouwen, a Catholic priest, known for his Jesus- centered spirituality, wrote ‘The Return of the Prodigal Son” According to Nouwen, our goal is to become like the father. He compares the father to God, our Father of mercy and compassion, pardon and love, tenderness and care. Our Father is slow to anger, rich in mercy. How often have we sinned against God and asked for mercy? Brother Lawrence says any penance or mortifications are invalid if they were not done for the love of God and we do not advance in the spiritual life if we neglect the love of God. Nouwen had struggles within his personal life and made a choice to seek God in solitude. In contemplation he had an epiphany: “You are the Beloved of God.” Nouwen then focused on the vastness of God’s compassion and love. He worked to share the Father’s love with the L’Arche community.
Lent is for repentance. If you haven’t been to confession recently go as soon as you can. Think about the things that separate you from God. Do you run to God like the young son with genuine sorrow or is it a check off list to get it done? Reflect on God’s love for you, can you hear God saying, “You are the Beloved of God”? Spend time with your family today; have a family dinner, game, or outing. Give them your presence and savor the moments you share with them appreciating the gift of the now that the present moment is.
Lenten Action:
If you are a regular practitioner of Contemplative prayer spend your normal time in such prayer.
If you are new to spending time in silent prayer, sit comfortably in a quiet place, and ask God to be with you and help you silence your thoughts. Concentrate on your breath going in and out and feel the rising and falling of your chest. Imagine breathing in God’s love and care. Breathe out your offer of love to God. Sit silently for 10 minutes or more.
Today is not a Fast day or a day to abstain from anything including TV, computer games, social media or other forms of electronic media on your phones and iPad. Have fun playing in the electronic world if you like, but try to find where God is in all this for you.