Homily (Reflection) for Saturday of
the Second Week of Lent (03rd March, 2018) 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 the prelude to parables (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 eats 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.
In this parable, the loving father had two sons. The younger
one requested and got his own share of their father’s wealth. After squandering
it in a distant country in dissolute living, 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 one of the
hired servants. On the contrary, on sighting his son at a distant the man
filled with compassion ran to him, put his arms around him and kissed him.
Before the son could finish his prayer the man asked the slaves to quickly put
the best robe on him, put 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. God owns
the investment we call humans. And as a result He is the one to condemn or to
acquit, cf. Lk 6:37; Is 3:13. Ours
is to encourage our brothers and sisters to come back. No need to be afraid. There
is enough space to contain everybody in heaven.
Bible Reading: Prov 7:1-5; 9:1-6.
Thought for today: God is waiting for us to come back to Him.
Let us pray: Lord, strengthen us in our effort to
come back wholly to you – Amen.
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