READINGS:
1 R : Mic 7 : 14 - 15, 18 - 20.
Ps 102 : 1 - 3, 3 - 4, 9 - 10, 11 - 12.
Gos : Lk 15 : 1 - 3, 11 - 32.
LET US CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING POINTS FOR TODAY'S REFLECTION:
1. IN BOTH READINGS WE SEE A " COMING BACK "
IN THE FIRST READING THE PEOPLE OF ISRAEL REALIZE THEIR FOLLY AND ASK GOD TO LEAD THEM AGAIN.
BY GOING ASTRAY FROM GOD THEY HAD ONLY LOST AND NOT GAINED ANYTHING WORTH THE EFFORT.
THAT'S WHY THEY REMEMBER HOW GOD HAD SHEPHERDED THEM THROUGH BASHAAN AND GILEAD.
IN THE GOSPEL THE SECOND SON FINALLY REALIZES THAT EVEN THE PAID SERVANTS IN HIS FATHER'S HOUSE HAVE ABUNDANT FOOD TO EAT WHILE HE DOES NOT EVEN HAS THE ' BEANS' THROWN TO THE SWINES/PIGS.
HE DECIDES TO GET BACK.
THUS THE PRIMARY MOTIF OF LENT IS WELL EXPLAINED IN BOTH READINGS.
COMING BACK TO GOD ALONE TRULY FULFILLS US.
2. THE PICTURE OF GOD:
IN THE FIRST READING GOD IS PRESENTED AS THE ONE WHO WOULD THROW AWAY OUR SINS TO THE DEPTHS OF THE SEA.
IN THE GOSPEL GOD IS PRESENTED AS THE ALL EMBRACING FATHER; WHO WAITS,WHO RUNS, WHO HUGS, WHO FORGIVES AND WHO REJOICES AS DURING A MARRIAGE FEAST/ PARISH FEAST. HE SIMPLY HAS NO TIME TO GIVE A ' DRESSING DOWN '.
HE SIMPLY ORDERS A CELEBRATION.
JUST IMAGINE THE REJOICING AT THE RETURN OF A PRODIGAL SON ( LOST SHEEP AND LOST COIN )
DO I ANY DAY APPRECIATE GOD'S COMPLETE GOODNESS ?
3. THE ' BIG BROTHER ATTITUDE '
THE ELDER SON'S ATTITUDE IS COMPLETELY ANTITHETICAL TO THAT OF THE FATHER.
HE IS CLEARLY JURIDICAL AND SELF- RIGHTEOUS.
HE CAN NOT SEE BEYOND HIMSELF.
HE WANTS TO EARN / CLAIM SALVATION.
HE FORGETS THAT EVERYTHING IS THE FATHER'S IS ALSO HIS !
EVEN TODAY WE HAVE SO MANY WHO LIVE BY THIS ' BIG BROTHER ATTITUDE '. THEY NEITHER EXPERIENCE GOD'S MERCY NOR
ALLOW OTHERS TO EXPERIENCE THE SAME.
WHERE AM I PLACED???? AMONG THE THREE ABOVE ?
