March 6, 2016 - Fourth Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 33
Lectionary: 33
The LORD said to Joshua,
“Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”
While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho,
they celebrated the Passover
on the evening of the fourteenth of the month.
On the day after the Passover,
they ate of the produce of the land
in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain.
On that same day after the Passover,
on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for the Israelites,
who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.
“Today I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”
While the Israelites were encamped at Gilgal on the plains of Jericho,
they celebrated the Passover
on the evening of the fourteenth of the month.
On the day after the Passover,
they ate of the produce of the land
in the form of unleavened cakes and parched grain.
On that same day after the Passover,
on which they ate of the produce of the land, the manna ceased.
No longer was there manna for the Israelites,
who that year ate of the yield of the land of Canaan.
Responsorial
PsalmPS 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7
R. (9a) Taste
and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
I will bless the LORD at all times;
his praise shall be ever in my mouth.
Let my soul glory in the LORD;
the lowly will hear me and be glad.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Glorify the LORD with me,
let us together extol his name.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me
and delivered me from all my fears.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Look to him that you may be radiant with joy,
and your faces may not blush with shame.
When the poor one called out, the LORD heard,
and from all his distress he saved him.
R. Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Reading 22 COR 5:17-21
Brothers and sisters:
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.
And all this is from God,
who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
and given us the ministry of reconciliation,
namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting their trespasses against them
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Whoever is in Christ is a new creation:
the old things have passed away;
behold, new things have come.
And all this is from God,
who has reconciled us to himself through Christ
and given us the ministry of reconciliation,
namely, God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ,
not counting their trespasses against them
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
So we are ambassadors for Christ,
as if God were appealing through us.
We implore you on behalf of Christ,
be reconciled to God.
For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin,
so that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
Verse Before
The GospelLK 15:18
I will get up and go to my Father and shall say to him:
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
GospelLK 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
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.’”
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.’”
4th Sunday
of Lent – Cycle C
Note:
If there are some of The Elect at the Mass, the readings given for Cycle A may
be used. The alternate Gospel reading is about the blind man who washes in the
pool of Siloam. This reminds The Elect of the refreshing waters of baptism
which they will soon receive at the Easter Vigil Mass.
Note:
Where a Scripture text is underlined in the body of this discussion, it is
recommended that the reader look up and read that passage.
1st Reading - Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
The
common theme for all three readings of this Mass is “reconciliation.”
The
book of Joshua is the first of the historical books, immediately following the
Torah in the Bible. Today we will add another chapter to the story of the
Israelites. Moses has died; Joshua is the new leader. The people have crossed
the Jordan River on dry land (Joshua 3:15-17), reminiscent of their escape from
Egypt through the Reed Sea. At God’s command, Joshua has appointed twelve men,
one from each tribe of Israel to each take up a stone from the middle of the (dry
for the crossing) Jordan. These stones have been set up as a memorial of their
crossing on dry ground.
“In
the future, when the children among you ask their fathers what the stones mean,
you shall inform them, ‘Israel crossed the Jordan here on dry ground.’ For the
Lord, your God, dried up the waters of the Jordan in front of you until you
crossed over, just as the Lord, your God, had done at the Red Sea, which He
dried up in front of us until we crossed over; in order that all the peoples of
the earth may learn that the hand of the Lord is mighty, and that you may fear
the Lord, your God, forever." (Joshua 4:21-24)
Circumcisions
were then performed as none had been done on those who had been born during the
40 year sojourn in the desert (Joshua 5:4-5). This now brings us to today’s
reading and the celebration of the Passover in the Promised Land.
9a [T]he LORD said to Joshua, “Today
I have removed the reproach of Egypt from you.”
The
Hebrew translated as “removed” is literally “rolled” (galloti). What the
reproach is, is uncertain. Some have interpreted it is the state of
non-circumcision while others interpret it as slavery, which has now come to an
end with the entry into the promised land.
10 While the Israelites were encamped at
Gilgal on the plains of Jericho,
Two
meanings have been suggested for Gilgal:
1) “to
roll” because of its similarity to the Hebrew verb (gll)
2) “circle”
(of stones) for the 12 stones which were placed in a circle as a memorial In
any case, the exact location is uncertain but it is close to Jericho, it was a
holy place in the days of Samuel, and the place where Saul was installed as
king (1 Samuel 11:14-15).
they
celebrated the Passover on the evening of the fourteenth of the month.
This
corresponds with the date of the original Passover (see Numbers 33:3).
11 On the day after the Passover they ate
of the produce of the land in the form of unleavened cakes and parched
grain.
The
feast of unleavened bread. Only unleavened bread was to be eaten for a week
beginning with the day of Passover (Exodus 12:14-20).
On
that same day 12 after the Passover on which they ate of
the produce of the land, the manna ceased. No longer was there manna for the
Israelites, who that year
The
40th year since the exodus
ate
of the yield of the land of Canaan.
2nd Reading - 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
In
our first reading we heard about how the Israelites, once they had reached the
promised land, reconciled themselves with God by circumcising and celebrating
the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. In today’s epistle reading St. Paul
spells out the process whereby God’s saving love touches human lives.
17 So whoever is in Christ is a new
creation:
Anyone
who belongs to the believing community, which is Christ (1 Corinthians 6:15;
8:12; 12:12)
the
old things have passed away;
The
Old Covenant
behold,
new things have come.
The
redemptive activity of Jesus radically changes those who allow themselves to be
affected by it (see Romans 6:4; 8:9-10; Galatians 6:15). The old things, the
Old Covenant, are no more (2 Corinthians 3:11). The word kaine (new)
designates not just something that has recently appeared but rather a new
manner of being, differing essentially from what was habitual before. The
crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus is for Paul the dividing line between two
periods of history of the world. Christ instituted the “world to come” when
He instituted the New Covenant.
18 And all this is from God,
God
alone is the author of the new covenant.
who
has reconciled us to himself through Christ
See
Romans 5:10-12.
and
given us the ministry of reconciliation,
This
is the apostolate given to Paul by God through Jesus (Acts 26:15-18). This is
also the commission given to all the apostles (John 20:21-23). In fact, when
Jesus and the apostles first went out baptizing (John 3:23), they were
administering the baptism of repentance the same as John the Baptist, not a
sacramental baptism which wasn’t commissioned by Jesus until after the
resurrection (Matthew 28:19).
19 namely, God was reconciling the world to
himself
Forgiving
sins
in
Christ,
The
agent
not
counting their trespasses against them
As He
had done at the sin of Adam and at the golden calf
“God
was in Christ, that is to say, the Father was in the Son, reconciling the world
to Himself, not counting their sins against them. Creation sinned against God
and did not repent, so God, who did not want His work to perish, sent His Son
in order to preach through Him the forgiveness of sins and thus reconcile them
to Himself.” [The Ambrosiaster (between A.D. 366-384), Commentaries on
Thirteen Pauline Epistles]
and
entrusting to us the message of reconciliation.
They
are to preach the gospel, to baptize, and even to forgive sins as His emissary
(John 20:19-23).
20 So we are ambassadors for
Christ,
Not
merely representatives but prolonging the mission of Christ by being His
instrument (“he who hears you hears Me”).
as
if God were appealing through us.
This
underlines God’s respect for the freedom of His creatures – it must be our
decision, not God’s. Reconciliation can be lost; those who have accepted the
Gospel must always allow it to exercise its effect upon them.
We
implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For
our sake he made him to be sin
Jesus
became the ultimate sin sacrifice so that heaven could be opened and our sins
could be forgiven and forgotten.
who
did not know sin,
Jesus
is God and therefore sinless (Romans 7:1).
so
that we might become the righteousness of God in him.
We
can have our sins forgiven and forgotten and become sinless like God Himself.
Gospel
- Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Our
gospel reading today is the parable of the prodigal son; perhaps it should be
renamed the parable of the loving father because he is really the star of the
story. This parable is found only in Luke’s gospel. The parable plays upon the
hearer’s knowledge of two brothers stories, in which the younger triumphs over
the elder: 1) Esau and Jacob (Genesis 25:27-34; 27:1-36) and Joseph and his brothers
(Genesis 37:1-4). Jesus doubly reverses expectations: the prodigal son is a
parody of the successful younger brother; the elder son is not vanquished, but
invited to the feast.
15:1 [T]ax collectors and sinners were
all drawing near to listen to him, 2 but the
Pharisees
and scribes began to complain,
The
scribes and Pharisees were scandalized by the fact that Jesus associated with
people of this ilk (see Luke 5:30; 7:34).
saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
To
the Pharisees, a man was known by the company he keeps. Jesus, of course, came
to lead them to salvation by setting the example for them to follow.
3 So to them he addressed this
parable: 11[ ] “A man had two sons, 12 and
the younger son said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of your estate
that should come to me.’
The
estate was not necessarily divided only upon the death of the father. The
inheritance was usually given when the son married; when he needed it the most.
The eldest got two parts and each other son got one part. Sirach argued against
this practice (Sirach 33:19-23).
So
the father divided the property between them. 13 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.
Just
as we can lose our inheritance (heaven) through sinful acts, the son squanders
his through unrestrained sensuality and spendthrift extravagance. Adam and Eve
lost the garden of Eden through sin.
14 When he had freely spent
everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire
need. 15 So he hired himself out to one of the local
citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
To do
things which only Gentiles did. Pigs were unclean animals and anyone who
touched them became unclean (Leviticus 11:7-8). The sinner has further isolated
himself from God.
16 And he longed to eat his fill of the
pods on which the swine fed,
The
fruit of the carob tree
but
nobody gave him any.
He
was totally isolated. He must have stolen his food. This is the anxiety and
emptiness a person feels when he is far from God. This is what enslavement to
sin involves (Romans 6:6; Galatians 5:1) – by sinning one loses the freedom of
the children of God (Romans 8:21; Galatians 5:13) and hands oneself over to the
power of Satan.
17 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. 18 I shall get up and go to my father
His
memory of home and his conviction that his father will not turn him away cause
the son to reflect and decide to set out on the right road.
and
I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. 19 I
no longer deserve to be called your son;
Recognizes
his sinfulness with full contrition
treat
me as you would treat one of your hired workers.’”
I
will do penance the rest of my live (sacrifice/self giving).
20 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.
Very
undignified behavior for an elderly Oriental gentleman. The father must have
been constantly checking the road for some sign of his son and immediately
recognized him even at a great distance. God also never gives up on his
children and eagerly welcomes them back to His family through the sacrament of
penance/reconciliation/confession. When we sincerely confess our sins we again
put on Christ and become His brothers; members of God’s family (Romans
8:14-17). God does not greet us with reproaches, but with immense compassion.
21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have
sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your
son.’ 22 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.
Does
not welcome him back as a servant but as a son, a free person (Genesis 41:42)
23 Take the fattened calf and
slaughter it.
The
animal reserved for very special occasions.
Then
let us celebrate with a feast, 24 because this son of mine
was dead, and has come to life again;
See Ephesians
2:1-7.
he
was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. 25 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. 26 He
called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. 27 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.’ 28 He
became angry, and when he refused to enter the house,
He
thinks his father loves the younger son excessively. His jealousy prevents him
from understanding how his father can do so much to celebrate the return of the
sinful child; this cuts him off from the joy the whole family feels. It’s true
that he was a sinner but it is not up to the older brother to judge him; that
prerogative belongs to the father. God’s mercy is so great that man cannot
grasp it. We should also consider that if God has compassion toward sinners, He
must have much, much more toward those who strive to be faithful to Him.
his
father came out and pleaded with him. 29 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. 30 But when your son returns who swallowed up
your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ 31 He
said to him, ‘My son,
Even
after the angry outburst from the elder brother, the father still addresses him
affectionately.
you
are here with me always; everything I have is yours.
Your
inheritance is secure. Just because your brother has returned, your
share is not reduced.
32 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.’”
Closing
Thought
Mercy,
as Christ has presented it in this parable, has as its basis the interior form
of love which the New Testament calls agape. This love is able to
reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every
form of moral misery; to sin. When this happens, the person who is the object
of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and “restored to
value.” The father first and foremost expresses to him his joy, that he has
been “found again” and that he has “returned to life.” This joy indicates a
good that has remained intact: even if he is a prodigal, the son does not cease
to be truly his father’s son; it also indicates a good that has been found
again, which in the case of the prodigal son was his return to the truth about
himself.
God
is waiting by the side of the road to welcome us back into His family and to
celebrate our rebirth. As we honestly examine our lives, we realize that the
covenant instituted by Jesus is one of grace and mercy; of repentance and
reconciliation. We know this from His gift of the Holy Spirit to Peter and the
apostles who left Jesus at the Garden of Gethsemane but turned back in
penitence after the crucifixion. Peter too, was the prodigal son on Good Friday
who was welcomed home on Easter morning and fed bread and fish at the lake side
in celebration. To better understand the New Covenant, we need to be in touch
not only with the faith demands expressed in the earlier weeks of Lent but also
with the repentance and forgiveness expressed in today’s readings.
Meditation: "I will go home to
my father"
What's
worst than being separated from your home, loved ones, and friends? The pain of
separation can only be surpassed by the joy of the homecoming and reunion. When
God commanded his people to celebrate the Passover annually, he wanted them to
never forget what he did for them when he freed them from oppression and
slavery in the land of Egypt and brought them back to their promised homeland
which he gave as a sign of his immense love and favor. At the end of their
wandering in the wilderness for 40 years, Joshua, the successor to Moses, led
the people in celebrating the Passover meal after they had safely passed over
the River Jordan to their promised homeland (Joshua 5:9-12).
Our true homeland with God
This crossing over from a land of slavery and oppression to a land of promise and freedom is a sign that foreshadows the true freedom and homecoming which the Lord Jesus has won for us in his kingdom. Through his victory on the cross the Lord Jesus has delivered us from the dominion of sin and darkness and transferred us to his kingdom of light, truth, and forgiveness (Colossians 1:13-14). God offers this freedom to all who believe in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God does not desire the death of anyone (Ezekiel 18:23). That is why he sent us his only-begotten Son to set us free from slavery to sin, Satan, and death and to restore us to everlasting peace, joy, and abundant life with our Father in heaven.
Our true homeland with God
This crossing over from a land of slavery and oppression to a land of promise and freedom is a sign that foreshadows the true freedom and homecoming which the Lord Jesus has won for us in his kingdom. Through his victory on the cross the Lord Jesus has delivered us from the dominion of sin and darkness and transferred us to his kingdom of light, truth, and forgiveness (Colossians 1:13-14). God offers this freedom to all who believe in his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. God does not desire the death of anyone (Ezekiel 18:23). That is why he sent us his only-begotten Son to set us free from slavery to sin, Satan, and death and to restore us to everlasting peace, joy, and abundant life with our Father in heaven.
The
merciful Father who welcome home his lost son
Jesus illustrates this passover from slavery to sin and condemnation to freedom and new life in Christ with the longest parable recorded in the Gospels (Luke 15:11-32). What is the main point of Jesus' story about two ungrateful sons and their extravagant loving father? Is it the contrast between a grudging obedient son and a rebellious son who had wished his father was dead? Or the warm reception given to a spendthrift son and the cold reception given by the eldest son?
Jesus illustrates this passover from slavery to sin and condemnation to freedom and new life in Christ with the longest parable recorded in the Gospels (Luke 15:11-32). What is the main point of Jesus' story about two ungrateful sons and their extravagant loving father? Is it the contrast between a grudging obedient son and a rebellious son who had wished his father was dead? Or the warm reception given to a spendthrift son and the cold reception given by the eldest son?
Jesus
does contrast the eldest son's cold and aloof reception for his errant brother
with the father's warm embrace and lavish homecoming party for his repentant
son. While the errant son had wasted his father's money, his father,
nonetheless, maintained unbroken love for his son. The son, while he was away,
learned a lot about himself. And he realized that his father had given him love
which he had not returned. He had yet to learn about the depth of his father's
love for him.
His
deep humiliation at finding himself obliged to feed on the husks of pigs and
his reflection on all he had lost, led to his repentance and decision to
declare himself guilty before his father. While he hoped for reconciliation
with his father, he could not have imagined a full restoration of relationship.
The father did not need to speak words of forgiveness to his son; his actions
spoke more loudly and clearly! The beautiful robe, the ring, and the festive
banquet symbolize the new life - pure, worthy, and joyful - of every person who
returns to God.
Forgiven
and restored to new life
The prodigal could not return to the garden of innocence, but he was welcomed and reinstated as a son who had been missed much and greatly loved by his father. The errant son's dramatic change from grief and guilt to forgiveness and restoration express in picture-language the resurrection from the dead which Jesus makes possible to everyone who believes in him, a rebirth to new life from death.
The prodigal could not return to the garden of innocence, but he was welcomed and reinstated as a son who had been missed much and greatly loved by his father. The errant son's dramatic change from grief and guilt to forgiveness and restoration express in picture-language the resurrection from the dead which Jesus makes possible to everyone who believes in him, a rebirth to new life from death.
The
parable also contrasts mercy and its opposite - unforgiveness. The father who
had been wronged, was forgiving. But the eldest son, who had not been wronged,
was unforgiving. His unforgiveness turns into spiteful pride and contempt for
his brother. And his resentment leads to his isolation and estrangement from
the community of forgiven sinners.
God's
mercy and kindness knows no bounds
In this parable Jesus gives a vivid picture of God and what God is like. God is truly kinder than any of us. He does not lose hope or give up when we stray from him. He is always on the lookout for those who have a change of heart and want to return. He rejoices in finding the lost and in welcoming them home. Do you know the joy of repentance and the restoration of relationship as a son or daughter of your heavenly Father?
In this parable Jesus gives a vivid picture of God and what God is like. God is truly kinder than any of us. He does not lose hope or give up when we stray from him. He is always on the lookout for those who have a change of heart and want to return. He rejoices in finding the lost and in welcoming them home. Do you know the joy of repentance and the restoration of relationship as a son or daughter of your heavenly Father?
"Lord
Jesus, may I never doubt your love nor take for granted the mercy you have
shown to me. Fill me with your transforming love that I may be merciful as you
are merciful."
Daily
Quote from the early church fathers: The Father redeems his son with a kiss, by Peter
Chrysologus (400-450 AD)
"'He
fell on his neck and kissed him.' This is how the father judges and corrects
his wayward son and gives him not beatings but kisses. The power of love
overlooked the transgressions. The father redeemed the sins of his son by his
kiss, and covered them by his embrace, in order not to expose the crimes or
humiliate the son. The father so healed the son's wounds as not to leave a scar
or blemish upon him. 'Blessed are they,' says Scripture 'whose iniquities are
forgiven, and whose sins are covered' (Romans 4:7)." (excerpt from SERMON
3)
[Peter
Chrysologus, 400-450 AD, was a renowned preacher and bishop of Ravena in the
5th century]
FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32
(Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
SUNDAY, MARCH 6, LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32
(Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; Psalm 34; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21)
KEY VERSE: "But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again" (v 32).
TO KNOW: The "tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near" to Jesus while the "Pharisees and the scribes" were looking for ways to ensnare him (Luke 15:1-2). When the religious leaders complained that Jesus associated with sinners, he reminded them of God's unconditional love for the wayward by telling them a parable. While it is known as the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it might better be called the Parable of the Compassionate Father. The elder son in the story represented the self-righteous, law-abiding religious leaders, while the younger son signified repentant sinners. When the younger squandered his father's gifts, he realized the error of his ways, turned around (to repent, literally, "to rethink") and headed toward home. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and ran out to meet him. The prodigal believed that he was no more than a slave and no longer deserved to be called a son. But before he could make his confession, the father welcomed him back with a joyful celebration. But the elder brother was unhappy that his brother had come home, and referred to him, not as "my brother," but as "your son" (v 30). His attitude showed that his obedience to his father was nothing more than grim duty and not loving service. We can all apply this story of repentance and reconciliation to our own lives. How often we waste God's gifts. We may even feel as though we have lost God's love. But if we take a few small steps by confessing our sinfulness, we discover that God is ready to meet us and welcome us to the Eucharistic banquet.
TO LOVE: Have I discovered the amazing grace available in confession?
TO SERVE: Loving Father, thank you for seating me at your table of love and mercy.
Sunday March 6 2016
Sun
6th. 4th Sunday of Lent. Joshua 5:9-12. Taste and see the goodness of the
Lord—Ps 33(34):2-7. 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.
Jesus
welcomes sinners and even eats with them.
One
of the best-known scriptures is that of The Prodigal son. Today’s Gospel tells
that story. Liturgical music composer, Marty Haugen, spoke recently in
Australia and shared his take on this Gospel account, wondering aloud if
perhaps a better name than The Prodigal Son could be The Merciful and Loving
Father. Ultimately, the message of this Gospel is what Pope Francis is trying
to show us in his actions. Pope Francis, while we should be careful not to
Canonise him yet (may he live long!), has been modeling that mercy. Reflect
today on this, if you can. Maybe use imaginative contemplation if you know how.
Picture the image of Francis washing and kissing the feet of prisoners, of his
tender reaching out to a boy with cerebral palsy, or of his choice to go and visit
Paraguay’s poorest slum in July last year. These images, if any, could be the
balm for our hungry souls today.
MINUTE
MEDITATIONS
|
Spiritual Blindness
|
Just as spiritual blindness can be far more devastating than the
loss of physical sight, so having our vision of God’s grace restored can bring
healing far beyond the physical. We see hope where once we knew only despair,
and more than that we see new ways to communicate that hope to others. We look
with new eyes on the people around us and see how they, too, are children of
God.
March
6
St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes
(1614-1645)
St. Mary Ann of Jesus of Paredes
(1614-1645)
Mary Ann grew close to God and his people
during her short life.
The youngest of eight, Mary Ann was born in Quito,
Ecuador, which had been brought under Spanish control in 1534. She joined the
Secular Franciscans and led a life of prayer and penance at home, leaving her
parents’ house only to go to church and to perform some work of charity. She
established in Quito a clinic and a school for Africans and indigenous
Americans. When a plague broke out, she nursed the sick and died shortly
thereafter.
She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950.
Comment:
Francis of Assisi overcame himself (and his upbringing) when he kissed the man afflicted with leprosy. If our self-denial does not lead to charity, the penance is being practiced for the wrong reason. The penances of Mary Ann made her more sensitive to the needs of others and more courageous in trying to serve those needs.
Francis of Assisi overcame himself (and his upbringing) when he kissed the man afflicted with leprosy. If our self-denial does not lead to charity, the penance is being practiced for the wrong reason. The penances of Mary Ann made her more sensitive to the needs of others and more courageous in trying to serve those needs.
Quote:
"At times when especially impelled by love for God and fellowmen, she afflicted herself severely to expiate the sins of others. Oblivious then to the world around her and wrapped in ecstasy, she had a foretaste of eternal happiness. Thus transformed and enriched by God's grace, she was filled with zeal to care not only for her own salvation, but also for that of others to the utmost of her ability. She generously relieved the miseries of the poor and soothed the pains of the sick. And when severe public disasters such as earthquakes and plagues terrified and afflicted her fellow citizens, she strove by prayer, expiation and the offering of her own life to obtain from the Father of mercies what she could not accomplish by human effort" (Pope Pius XII).
"At times when especially impelled by love for God and fellowmen, she afflicted herself severely to expiate the sins of others. Oblivious then to the world around her and wrapped in ecstasy, she had a foretaste of eternal happiness. Thus transformed and enriched by God's grace, she was filled with zeal to care not only for her own salvation, but also for that of others to the utmost of her ability. She generously relieved the miseries of the poor and soothed the pains of the sick. And when severe public disasters such as earthquakes and plagues terrified and afflicted her fellow citizens, she strove by prayer, expiation and the offering of her own life to obtain from the Father of mercies what she could not accomplish by human effort" (Pope Pius XII).
LECTIO DIVINA: 4TH SUNDAY OF LENT (C)
Lectio Divina:
Sunday, March 6, 2016 - 10
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Luke 15,1-3.11-32
Luke 15,1-3.11-32
1. LECTIO
a) Opening prayer:
a) Opening prayer:
Come, Spirit Creator, reveal to us the
great mystery of God the Father and of the Son united in one love. Grant that
we may see the great day of God, resplendent with light: the dawn of a new
world born in the blood of Christ. The prodigal son comes home, the blind sees
the bright light; the pardoned good thief dissolves the ancient fear. Dying on
the cross, Christ destroys death; death brings forth life, love conquers fear
and sin seeks pardon. Amen.
b) Gospel reading
1 Now
the tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to hear Jesus. 2 And the
Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying, "This man receives sinners and
eats with them."
3 So he told them this parable:
11 "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.
25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
3 So he told them this parable:
11 "There was a man who had two sons; 12 and the younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living.
14 And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. 15 So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. 17 But when he came to himself he said, 'How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' 20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, 'Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.
25 "Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. 27 And he said to him, 'Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' 28 But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, 29 but he answered his father, 'Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. 30 But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' 31 And he said to him, 'Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. 32 It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
c)
Prayerful silent time:
that
the Word of God may enter into our hearts and enlighten our life.
2.
MEDITATIO
a) A
key to the reading:
Dante
says that Luke is the ‹‹scriba mansuetudinis Christi››.
Indeed, he is the Evangelist who loves to emphasise the mercy of the Master
towards sinners and presents us with scenes of forgiveness (Lk 7: 36-50; 23:
39-43). In Luke’s Gospel the mercy of God is manifested in Jesus Christ. We can
say that Jesus is the incarnation of the merciful presence of God among us. “Be
compassionate as your Father is compassionate” (Lk 6: 36). Luke focuses on an
image of God already revealed in the Old Testament (Es 34: 6), but which,
unfortunately, seems to have been ignored by the Scribes and Pharisees who
rather stressed the image of a God “who visits the sins of the fathers on the
children” (Es 34: 7). Indeed, the Pharisees and the Scribes boasted on being
just in the eyes of God because they did not break the law. Jesus criticises
this attitude in his teaching and by his actions. He, the “just One” of God
(1Pt 3: 18), “receives sinners and eats with them” (Lk 15: 2). Think of the
parable of the publican who goes home from the temple justified in contrast
with the Pharisee who praised himself before God while passing judgment on his
neighbours (Lk 18: 9-14). Jesus points out to us that God’s way of thinking and
acting is quite different from ours. God is different, and his transcendence is
revealed in the mercy that forgives sins. “My heart recoils from it, my whole
being trembles at the thought. I will not give rein to my fierce anger… for I
am God, not man; I am the Holy One in your midst and have no wish to destroy”
(Hos 11: 8-9).
This
parable of the “prodigal son” brings out this merciful aspect of God the
Father. That is why some people refer to this story as “the parable of the
father who is prodigal with mercy and forgiveness”. The Gospel passage is part
of a series of three parables on mercy and has a preamble that leads us to
contemplate “all the publicans and sinners” who approach Jesus to listen to him
(Lk 15: 1). These are reflected in the attitude of the younger son who comes to
himself and begins to think on his state and on what he lost when he left his
father’s house (Lk 15: 17-20). It is interesting to note the use of the verb
“to listen”, which recalls the scene with Mary, Martha’s sister, “who sat down
at the Lord’s feet and listened to him speaking” (Lk 10: 39); or the
great crowd of people “who had come to hear him and to be cured of their diseases”
(Lk 6: 18). Jesus acknowledges his relatives, not by their blood relationship,
but from their listening attitude: “My mother and my brothers are those who hear the word o God and put it into
practice” (Lk 8: 21). Luke seems to place importance on this attitude of
listening. Mary, the mother of Jesus, is praised for having a contemplative
listening attitude, she who “stored
up all these things in her heart” (Lk 2: 19, 51). Elisabeth
proclaims her blessed because “she has believed that the promise made by the
Lord would be fulfilled” (Lk 1: 45), revealed at the time of the annunciation
(Lk 1: 26-38).
The
mercy of the compassionate father (Lk 15: 20), is in contrast with the severe
attitude of the older son, who will not accept his brother as such and who, in
the dialogue with the father, refers to him as: “this son of yours comes back
after swallowing up your property – he and his women…” (Lk 15: 30). In this we
can see the attitude of the Scribes and Pharisees who “murmured: ‹‹This man
receives sinners and eats with them››.” They do not associate with “sinners”
whom they consider unclean, but rather distance themselves from them. Jesus’
attitude is different and, in their sight, it is scandalous. He likes to
associate with sinners and sometimes invites himself into their houses to eat
with them (Lk 19: 1-10). The murmuring of the Scribes and Pharisees prevents
them from listening to the Word.
The
contrast between the two brothers is quite evocative. The younger brother
recognises his misery and fault and returns home saying: “Father, I have sinned
against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son” (Lk
15: 18-19, 21). The older brother takes an attitude of arrogance not only
towards his brother but also towards his father! His scolding is in great
contrast with the tenderness of the father who comes out of the house and goes
to meet him to “entreat” him to go into the house (Lk 15: 20, 28). This is an
image of God the Father who invites us to conversion, to return to him: “Come
back, disloyal Israel – it is Yahweh who speaks – I shall frown on you no more,
since I am merciful – it is Yahweh who speaks. I shall not keep my resentment
for ever. Only acknowledge your guilt: how you have apostatised from Yahweh
your God, how you have flirted with strangers and have not listened to my voice
– it is Yahweh who speaks. Come back disloyal children –it is Yahweh who speaks
– for I alone am your Master” (Jer 3: 12-14).
b) A
few questions:
to
direct our meditation and practice.
i) Luke
focuses on an image of God already revealed in the Old Testament (Es 34: 6),
but which, unfortunately, seems to have been ignored by the Scribes and
Pharisees who stressed rather the image of a God “who visits the sins of the
fathers on the children” (Es 34: 7). What image of God do I have?
ii) The
Pharisees and Scribes boast that they are just in the sight of God because they
do not break the law. Jesus criticises their attitude in his teaching and by
his actions. He the “Just One” of God (1Pt 3: 18) “receives sinners and eats
with them” (Lk 15: 2). Do I consider myself more just than others, perhaps
because I try to observe the commandments of God? What are the motives that
drive me to live a “just” life? Is it the love of God or personal satisfaction?
iii)
“All the publicans and sinners” approached Jesus to listen to him (Lk 15: 1).
Luke seems to place importance on this attitude of listening, reflection,
entering into oneself, meditating and storing up the Word in our hearts. What
place do I give to the contemplative listening of the Word of God in my daily
life?
iv) The
Scribes and Pharisees do not associate with “sinners” whom they consider
unclean, but rather distance themselves from them. Jesus’ attitude is different
and, in their sight, it is scandalous. He loves to be with sinners and
sometimes invites himself to their houses to eat with them (Lk 19: 1-10). Do I
judge others or do I try to pass on feelings of mercy and forgiveness, thus
reflecting the tenderness of God the Father-Mother?
v) ‹‹“Bring
the calf we have been fattening, and kill it; we are going to have a feast, a
celebration, because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life; he
was lost and is found.” And they began to celebrate.›› (Lk 15: 23). In the
image of the father who celebrates the return to life of his son, we recognise
God the Father who has loved us so much “that he gave his only Son, so that
everyone who believes in him may not be lost but may have eternal life” (Jn 3:
16). In the killed “fattened calf”, we can see the Christ, the lamb of God who
offers himself as a victim of expiation for the redemption of sin. I take part
in the Eucharistic banquet full of grateful feelings for this infinite love of
God who gives himself to us in his crucified and risen beloved Son.
3.
ORATIO
a)
Psalm 32 (31):
Blessed
is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
When I
declared not my sin,
my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.
I
acknowledged my sin to thee,
and I did not hide my iniquity; I said,
"I will confess my transgressions to the Lord";
then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.
and I did not hide my iniquity; I said,
"I will confess my transgressions to the Lord";
then thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin.
Thou
art a hiding place for me,
thou preservest me from trouble;
thou dost encompass me with deliverance.
thou preservest me from trouble;
thou dost encompass me with deliverance.
Be glad
in the Lord, and rejoice,
O righteous, and shout for joy,
all you upright in heart!
O righteous, and shout for joy,
all you upright in heart!
b)
Closing prayer:
O God,
who rewards the just and will not deny pardon to repentant sinners, listen to
our plea: may the humble confession of our faults obtain for us your mercy.
4.
CONTEMPLATIO
Contemplation
is knowing how to adhere with one’s mind and heart to the Lord who by his Word
transforms us into new beings who always do his will. “Knowing these things,
you will be blessed if you do them.” (Jn 13: 17)
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