The WORD
today (See http://usccb.org/bible/readings/031817.cfm)
reminds me that no matter how much I sin, God would wait for me to
return to him.
When we sin, we usually go away
from God or from others who we have wronged. Part because we are ashamed of
what we did, part because we are afraid of the consequences of our sin. However, the
first reading and psalm are consistent in telling us that God will forgive, will pardon us, and is kind and merciful.
This should remind us that no matter what we do, God will forgive us.
The gospel tells us the story
of the prodigal son. We have always been asked what we relate to: the prodigal
son and his actions, or the other son who feels envious to the attention given
to the prodigal son. Today, I am struck by the father. He is kind and merciful.
First of all, he immediately gave his son the inheritance - no questions asked,
no arguing. Then after the son squandered the money, he welcomes him with joy
and love. Not only that, he ran to his son while
he was still a long way off. Meaning, he was waiting for the son to come home. Then
when the other son states his sentiments, he woos the son and reminds him how
much he is loved as well. The father does not judge, is generous,
forgiving, and loving.
God is the father.
No matter what
we do, no matter what our concerns us, he will always love us. He will always be ready to
welcome us if we come to him with repentance and humility. He will always
remind us of his love for us. No matter how much we sin and hurt us, he
will be waiting for us. Waiting for when we will come to our senses and come
back to him. Waiting for us to repent. Ready and willing to take us back again.
This is how much God
loves us.
May
we always remember God's love, and may his love move us to love him back and
express it to others.
Father God,
Thank you for
today. Thank you for another day to live. Thank you for another chance to love
and serve you. Thank you for this weekend. Lord, thank you for loving me so
much. Thank you for never giving up on me, for always being ready to welcome
me, to forgive me when I come to you in repentance. Sorry for the times I sin
and hurt you. Sorry for loving myself more than I love you. Lord, I allow
you to love me, and may your love move me into loving you through others. Amen.
Blessed
day!
In
Christ,
-g-
Ps
See
related reflections:
March 18, 2017
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Lectionary: 235
Reading 1 Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Verse Before the Gospel Lk 15:18
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Gospel Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
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.'"
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