His Word Today: Coming to our senses

The Departure of the Prodigal Son
Jan Miense Molenaer

Good morning everyone,

The gospel passage for today's liturgy is one of my favorites because it is filled with images and much food for thought and prayer.  Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus. but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain ... (Lk 15:1-2).  Even these opening words cause us to stop.  We need to ponder in the depths of our hearts - in the place where we must be absolutely honest with ourselves: Which group of people do I fall into?  There are some days when there is no doubt that I am one of the sinners, those who are seeking forgiveness and inspiration from the Word of God, but are there other moments when I am more like a Pharisee, looking at others scornfully and judgmentally?

We can all learn from Jesus the art of living well.  Rare are the occasions when we need to raise our voices (he only did that on very few occasions) but we must constantly be on the lookout for those who seek to impose their own wills.  In most cases, Jesus did not respond with harsh words, but he was intent on making his point.  In this case, he shows us a portrait of the Father: our loving Father, who is even willing to allow us to disown him and take our inheritance (cf Lk 15:12) if we so choose.

How difficult it must have been for the father in that parable to agree to his son's request!  Every parent has hopes and dreams for his or her children.  When the children turn their backs on these dreams, this causes profound pain in the hearts of their parents.  The father could have refused his son's request, but he didn't.  Instead he spent his nights and days worrying about his son, praying for his safety, wondering if he would ever come back.

Pray today for all those we know who have strayed from the path that was first set out by our heavenly Father.  Pray for those who struggle to find their way back.  Pray for parents who struggle to accept the decisions that their children sometimes make, and if we ourselves should be prodigal children, pray for the courage to come to our senses (Lk 15:17), the courage to come back home.

Have a great day.