Gospel > Luke 15:11-32 [Jesus said to his disciples] : “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.’”
DAY 4 > MEDITATION It is
in their work at home that the 2 sons could discover
their fulfillment. Ironically, the younger son realizes he could be much
happier in these ordinary tasks, even menial tasks at home. Yet, it is the younger son – the
prodigal son– who realizes this while he is far from home.
In other words, we might
say (or sing) he would be happier sweeping the streets he used to own. The older son, on the other hand,
seems not to take any pleasure in the tasks he has been given to carry out all
these years.
What are our chores at
home? What is our work at home?
whether watering the
plants or washing the car.
whether taking out the recycling or taking the
children to school
whether doing our homework or going to Home
Depot
All of these regular everyday tasks are opportunities for us to
make a gift of ourselves to others. The
2 sons of the family have had a little trouble realizing this; the younger one
catches on a little more quickly.By the way, it is a feature of Jewish
scripture and teaching to turn the tables on the rights of the elder and first
born children. Note that it is Joseph who is sold into slavery by his elder
brothers and Joseph who becomes their hero and redeemer later in Egypt.
Also, youngest son of
Jesse, his son David, is anointed the new king of Israel.
Sometimes, it is the younger ones who learn lessons more quickly
than the older ones in the family. In
this family, the younger son (a.k.a., the“prodigal son”) discovers his
fulfillment in serving – doing his work around the house and barn- for the
family, and his father. The older son has not yet caught on. These everyday tasks seem to hinder
“life”, or life in the fast lane.
The prodigal son really discovers his life when he returns to
these ordinary tasks, returns to his father, willing to be a servant.
There is a celebration waiting, a
surprise party. In a sense, there is a new inheritance, even more to
inherit.The son is there – as we are also here during Lent and Easter – to
inherit our identity as children of God … part of his household and family. Receiving his grace and forgiveness,
we not only receive the just reward of our labor, but we also participate in
God’s grace and blessing by receiving our labor, by recognizing that there is
still work to do.
DAY
4 > REFLECTIONS & QUESTIONS
Catholic
Catechism n. 1994 “Justification is the most excellent work of God's love made
manifest in Christ Jesus and granted by the Holy Spirit. It is the opinion of St. Augustine that
"the justification of the wicked is a greater work than the creation of
heaven and earth," because "heaven and earth will pass away but the
salvation and justification of the elect . . . will not pass away." (St. Augustine) He holds
also that the justification of sinners surpasses the creation of the angels in
justice, in that it bears witness to a greater mercy.”
DAY 4 – QUESTION 1 - Receiving absolution and forgiveness
in the sacrament of reconciliation, we recognize that only God forgives sins. And,
we recognize that our life is hidden with Christ in God (2 Corinthians
4:7). How can I strengthen
my inner life, my inner peace through repentance and forgiveness?
DAY 4 – QUESTION 2 – Consider going to
confession this Lenten season. Feel free to contact Father Jim Ferry or Father
Edson Costa at your convenience or to come to confession on Saturdays at 4:30
pm to 5:00 pm at Lourdes
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