What's worst than
being separated from one's loved ones, home, and friends? The pain of
separation can only be surpassed by the joy of the homecoming and reunion. We
should never close the door, for God desires that none of His children should
be separated from their true home and family.
Today's Gospel is a story about life and a story that
makes us stop and think every time we read it. This story has something that
everybody can relate to in one way or another. Whether it is those who have
gone astray in their lives and wonder if they would be welcomed back to the
"father's house," or for those who have returned and were met with
mercy and joy, where doors don't close. Perhaps people feel they have always
been the good and dutiful ones and feel miffed when the black sheep returns to
such a fine reception. The point is, at one time or another, we all find
ourselves "outside the father's house." And He is eager to welcome us
inside, where we belong. It's a day to ask ourselves, "What's preventing
me from entering the father's house in joy, and to make haste to let go of
everything that keeps me from finding my way home? Finding true reconciliation!
Our heavenly Father keeps all of His promises, even when
we don't, and He is forever willing to be reconciled with us. God promises to
provide for us, to feed us, and to love us. But we do need to put the ultimate
trust in Him. I have a couple questions for you to think about: Have you
experienced God's prodigal love - the all-consuming, forgiving love so vividly
described in today's Gospel? When have you felt the most joyful in the
knowledge of God's love? Saint Paul
tells us that "whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have
passed away..." What part of yourself do you feel is most a part of your
new creation in Jesus Christ?
The prodigal could not return to the garden of innocence,
but he was welcomed and reinstated as a son. The errant son's dramatic change
from grief and guilt to forgiveness and restoration expresses, in picture
language, the resurrection from the dead - a rebirth to new life from spiritual
death. The parable also contrasts the spirit of mercy to that of an unforgiving
spirit. The father who had been wronged and hurt was forgiving, but the eldest
son, who had not been wronged, was unforgiving. His lack of forgiveness turns
into contempt and pride. And his resentment leads to his isolation and
estrangement from the community of forgiven sinners. In this very important
story, Jesus gives a vivid picture of God and Who God is. Our Father is truly
kinder than us. He does not lose hope and does not give up when we stray. He
rejoices in finding us and in welcoming us home. Nothing is greater than to
know the joy of repentance and the restoration of relationships as sons and
daughters, for we are all heirs of our heavenly Father.
In today's Responsorial Psalm we pray: "Taste and see
the goodness of the Lord. When the poor one called out, the Lord heard, and
from all his distress He saved him" (Ps 34:9a; Ps 34:6). I would like to
finish with a reflection written by St. Peter Chrysologus: "'He rose and
went to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him.'
That Father saw, he, 'who dwells on high; and looks down on the low things, and
the high he knows afar off. His father saw him.' The father saw him, in such a
way that the son could also behold his father. The father's countenance
illumined the face of the approaching son in such a way that all the dark
aspect was dispelled which his guilt had previously cast about it."
God's goodness is tangible: Taste and see!