Fourth Sunday of Lent
Luke 15: 1-3, 11- 32
When we are baptized, we become a child of God.
After Baptism, we continue our journey of faith from the Baptismal Font. Throughout our journey, we gain many life stories, as well as make many personal choices. These choices will often result in fortune or misfortune, and sometimes change our life circumstances, which is what we ponder in this Gospel reading.
The Gospel tells the story of a father who provides his son with an early inheritance, which the son then spends on self-destructive behavior, while another son stays home and remains faithful. As the story unfolds, the father forgives the son for his wrong-doing and welcomes him back with, not only open arms but a lavish party. While one son is broken-spirited and humiliated, the other son feels anger, instead of gratitude as his ungrateful brother now is forgiven.
This story is one that will make us rethink the choices we make throughout our journey of faith, as we enter the halfway mark of the Lenten season.
What can we learn from the story of this Gospel and how can it teach us to walk on a righteous path with each other and with God?
At one time or another, we have all been the forgiving father, the selfish son who’s pleasure-seeking behavior leads to his self-destruction and the diligent son who does the right thing and holds anger in his heart.
In this Lenten Season, the Church provides opportunities for reconciliation. Thinking about what angers us, what pleasure-seeking activities we have pursued, ones that not only lead to our demise, but also to the detriment of others, and how we have not called upon the Holy Spirit in making life choices may create a repentant heart that could bring about the most joyful Easter ever.
Lent is an opportune time to think about how the sacraments of Baptism, Eucharist, and Reconciliation are the path to eternal life where we will be welcome with open arms and a heavenly banquet.
Prayer: ...forgive us our trespasses as we forgive others, and lead us not into temptation...
Sister Dorothy Maxwell, OP