Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Second Week of Lent (18th March, 2017) on the Gospel
Mic 7:14-15.18-20;
Ps 102:1-4.9-12 (R. v. 8);Lk 15:1-3.11-32.
Topic: God is waiting.
Today’s gospel is made up of a prelude (Lk 15:1-3) and the parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32). In the prelude, the
Pharisees and the scribes grumbled because Jesus did not only welcome sinners
but also ate with them. The parable of the prodigal son is better known today
as the parable of the loving father; it shows the father’s love more than the
prodigality of the son.
The loving father had two sons. The younger requested and got
his share of their father’s wealth. After squandering it in a distant country,
things got so bad that he had to hire himself out to a citizen who sent him to
feed the pigs in the field. He would have ate the pods for the pigs but was not
given. When he came to his senses he returned home to plead with their father
to take him as a hired servant. However, on sighting him at a distant the man ran
to him, put his arms around him and kissed him. Before he could finish his
prayer the loving father asked the slaves to quickly put the best robe on him, a
ring on his finger, and to kill the fatted calf for a feast.
When the elder brother who was in the field came near to the
house and learnt what was happening he refused to enter the house. He was angry
that their father never appreciated his absolute loyalty. Their father pleaded
with him, “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. But we
had to celebrate and rejoice, because this brother of yours was dead and has
come to life; he was lost and has been found” (Lk 15:31-32).
Lenten season is also a period of homecoming. God is waiting
for me and for you to return. Just as the prodigal son was restored to his lost
state, God will restore us if only we could come back. Although God desires
that we remain without going astray “but if any one does sin, we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1Jn 2:1). God’s kindness is not a licence to sin, cf. Rom 6:15. The Pharisees, the scribes,
the elder brother and their likes ought not be angry at God’s mercy, cf. Matt 20:13-15. He owns us all. He is
the one to condemn or to acquit, cf. Lk
6:37; Is 3:13.
Bible Reading: Prov 7:1-5; 9:1-6.
Thought for today: God is waiting for us all to come back.
Let us pray: Lord, strengthen us in our effort to
come back wholly to you – Amen.
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