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Today’s gospel reading of what is usually referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of my favorites. Since this parable is also about the forgiveness of the father towards his wayward son, I prefer the title of The Forgiving Father.
When we focus on the son and his transgressions, our tendency is to look inward at our own transgressions. There is nothing wrong with a good inward look but not if we lose sight of the love and forgiveness of the father.
There is none among us who has not sinned, some more than others. At some point we realize that our sinful ways are not working and yearn to return home to the safety and love of our heavenly family. When we do, God is waiting with His hand held out to you. All you must do is reach out and grab hold and know that you are home.
Today’s gospel reading of what is usually referred to as the Parable of the Prodigal Son is one of my favorites. Since this parable is also about the forgiveness of the father towards his wayward son, I prefer the title of The Forgiving Father.
When we focus on the son and his transgressions, our tendency is to look inward at our own transgressions. There is nothing wrong with a good inward look but not if we lose sight of the love and forgiveness of the father.
There is none among us who has not sinned, some more than others. At some point we realize that our sinful ways are not working and yearn to return home to the safety and love of our heavenly family. When we do, God is waiting with His hand held out to you. All you must do is reach out and grab hold and know that you are home.
For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward them that fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us.(Psalm 103:11,12)
Picture by Liz Lemon Swindle
Available from Arttown.com
15 comments:
I wrote about this a few weeks ago on the "Sunday of the Prodigal Son". I am a Greek Catholic and we have a different lectionary cycle, so we hear this Gospel two weeks before the start of Lent each year.
I wrote:
I treat this rather like a feast day - I very much am that prodigal son.
Most sermons I hear focus on the "leading man" - the Prodigal Son... And that is certainly not a bad thing. He is not, however, the only character from which we can learn. Realize that at times we will be called to be the welcoming father, at other times we should be prepared to be the admonished jealous son.
If you are away from home, go home!
If you are home, know how blessed you are!
If you see someone coming home, run out to greet them and be generous!
very good post. very good.
I LOVE this parable. If you can get a copy of the short film Pardon and Peace (produced by the Franciscans) you will be amazed. Then, after you see it, watch again with the kids in your catechism classes. Keep some tissue handy.
You may want to see if your parish already has a copy.
Have you ever noticed that this parable isn't finished? It doesn't tell us whether the 2 brothers reconciled. I think this is the real crux of the story, kind of the Father saying "I've reconciled with each of you, what are you going to do with each other?" The story isn't finished as each of us has to write the ending ourselves.
I guess I am a little confused... Was this reading for the morning Mass on Saturday or the Sunday vigil Mass? Sunday's Gospel reading was for Samaritan woman and the well...
We had the woman at the well too.
Angela and Scott - I apologize adn will be more clear in the future. The reading was for Sat. We all got the woman and the well for Sunday.
Since I am so old (ancient, actually) I never even give the Sat. night Mass much thought.
Sat. for me is Sat. morning. Sigh...
Mea Culpa, Mea Culpa
Simple sinner - very good points. I used to focus on the Prodigal Son 'cause I am one but now I tend to focus on the forgiving father aspect.
I try to ignore the "whiner" as I call the other son. He reminds me way too much of myself.
What makes this parable so good is there is someone for everyone to identify with.
Tom - looking into Pardon and Peace the movie. That's also the title of one of my favorite books by Alfred Wilson, C.P. copyrighted 1947. It is excellent.
AA -- That is very interesting and I never thought of it that way. I learn so much from all you gruys!!
AA -- that would be "guys" not "gruys". My fingers are just not working well today.
This is one of the first gospel stories I remember from my child hood. I love it too.
Adrienne, I love the attitude the father and the younger son both have towards money. The son asks for it, the father gives it, the son spends it, the father never mentions it. So cool! This parable is definitely not about the money. I know a recovered gambler - and am so glad the family is not focussed on the money she wasted .. so cool again!
Me again.....got confused as to who I was posting to....a senior moment I'm sure.
Great post Adrienne. I especially love the picture. I too will have to concentrate more on the father.
Hi Micki - I visit your beautiful holy cards all the time. I'm such a doofus I could have sworn I've had a link to you for months now. I'll get that corrected.
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