Fourth Sunday of Lent

March 11, 2021March 10, 2021

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Reading 1: 2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
Responsorial: Psalm 137:1-6
Reading 2: Ephesians 2:4-10
Gospel: John 3:14-21

https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

Welcome to another episode of deacon rudy’s notes! I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal, and together, we’re going to explore the readings for this weekend. Let’s get started!

Over these past weeks, our readings walked us through salvation history, beginning with Noah, then Abraham, and last week, the ten commandments. This week we learn that God allowed the Temple’s destruction to send a wake-up call to the people. Even our responsorial psalm tells the story of the Babylonian captivity. Why did this happen?

Scripture tells us that the people so relished the luxuries and pleasures of the world – undoubtedly many of the same sorts of treasures that Satan used in the desert to tempt Jesus. It worked on the people, and they forgot about God altogether. So, he allowed their world to collapse. But God’s mercy is limitless, and today we hear that God called his people back together. He even placed the responsibility of rebuilding the Temple in the hands of a pagan king.

It’s a great story. But we know how it turned out. It didn’t take long for the people to reduce God to a function – merely a checkbox on someone’s holy roller card. Once again, they didn’t get it. So, God sent His only son to lead the people out of the darkness and into the light.

Today’s Gospel which picks up right after the Temple’s cleansing that we heard about last weekend, gives us some insight. Now, a pharisee named Nicodemus visits Jesus at night. Why at night, I wonder? Was he trying to catch Jesus off-guard at the end of a busy day? Or is he beginning to realize that Jesus might be the messiah they’ve been waiting for?

Of course, we know that Nicodemus defended Jesus before the Sanhedrin (John 7:50-51). After bringing embalming spices, he helps Joseph of Arimathea take Jesus down from the cross and prepare his body for burial (John 19:39-42). But in today’s reading, Nicodemus came in the night.

There is this interesting exchange between Nicodemus and Jesus. Jesus says to him just a few verses earlier than we have in our Gospel reading today, “You just don’t get it” (John 3:10).

He first tells him, “Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert, so must the Son of Man be lifted up” (John 3:14). Now, why did Moses lift up the serpent according to Numbers (21:9)? To heal the people who suffered from the poison of snake bites. So, Jesus, in comparing Moses to what will happen at the crucifixion, tells us that Jesus will heal all of us across time.

Then Jesus says one of the most often quoted lines in Scripture: For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son (John 3:16). Now, this is a vitally important point! Out of God’s love for us, God gave us His son. Jesus is Gift.

Recall that Jesus says to the woman at the well, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is who is speaking to you…” (John 4:10). As the theologian Sandra M. Schneiders writes, “God is love expressed in the Gift who is Jesus.” <1>

Jesus goes on to say, “that the light came into the world, but people preferred darkness to light because their works were evil” (John 3:19). What are these works of evil? Well, we could spend a lot of time talking about the seven deadly sins, for example, but we’re only going to touch on one of them right now: sloth.

Now, when we hear the word “sloth,” we might think of laziness. But actually, laziness is a symptom of the disease. Sloth means rejecting God’s concrete gifts to us as individuals. And that manifests in a variety of ways in our culture today.

Yes, a lazy person might be someone who wakes up late, doesn’t make their bed, and spends the whole day watching shows or gamming.

But sloth could also manifest as the “busy” person who gets to work on time and is busy all day long, but the same pile of work that greeted you in the morning is still on your desk when you leave for the day. This busyness masks laziness.

Sloth could also be the workaholic who loves working ten-hour days, six days a week, and even appreciates their income. The married workaholic ignores the gift of their spouse and children. The unmarried workaholic ignores the gift of their friends, family, and the world around them.

A teenager might demonstrate musical talent, but they refuse to practice. Why? Because they don’t believe they could be the best. They doubt they’ll make first chair or be the top of the class. If they can’t execute their talent perfectly, then why try? Perfectionism which might prevent us from embracing our gifts, is a form of sloth.

Maybe a college student is wildly intelligent. But perhaps this student doubts themselves. So, they choose to hide their intelligence or, worse, ignore it. Ignoring or neglecting God’s gift is sloth.

I’ve even heard people say to me that they don’t pray very well. Maybe their doubt prevents them from devoting more time to prayer. People really don’t like to look or feel silly, so a person who thinks they can’t pray neglects it. This person doubts the Holy Spirit’s gifts of faith, hope, and even time. This, too, is sloth. <2>

Sloth is a deadly sin because it causes us to reject the concrete gifts God gave each one of us. And the root of this deadly sin is ingratitude. Now, we’re getting to the kicker. St. Ignatius once wrote that at the heart of all sin is ingratitude. What are we ungrateful for? God’s gifts. So, we plot our own course. “We can do better than that” is undoubtedly the motto we use to encourage us forward. That’s what Jesus means when he says we prefer darkness to light (John 3:19) – our own course to God’s plan.

In today’s Gospel, we find that the God who is love gave us the gift of Jesus. Out of ingratitude, what was the response to God’s Gift? We murdered Jesus. Again, Sandra Schneiders tells us that when we take the “Gift of God” and murder Him, we “manifest the true nature of the sin of the world,’ that is, the rejection of the God who is love.” <3>

As we move through Lent toward Easter, we need to use our Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving to help us identify examples of when we might reject the gifts and talents God gave us as individuals. Perhaps, with the help of the sacraments, especially reconciliation and a spiritual director’s help, we could try to identify root causes of ingratitude in our lives.

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God and the Eucharist, I invite you to reflect on the following two questions.
First, given the examples of sloth discussed, are there any examples in my life where I don’t fully appreciate the gifts God gave me?
Second, how can I use my Lenten sacrifices of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving or spiritual exercises like the daily examen or an examination of conscience to understand examples of ingratitude in my life?

Doing our homework can help disciples use our gifts and talents to build up the Kingdom of God. Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! May almighty God bless you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

You’re listening to deacon rudy’s notes. Thank you for joining me today. Silent Partner composed our theme music. You can find all sorts of helpful information on the website at www.deaconrudysnotes.org. I’m Deacon Rudy Villarreal. Join me again next weekend as we break open the Word. Peace!

Image Credit: Lent. Artist Unknown. JPG.

Notes:
<1> Sandra M. Schneiders, Jesus Risen in Our Midst: Essays on the Resurrection of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel (Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013), 225, Kindle.
<2> These examples of sloth come from Joseph A. Tetlow, SJ and Carol Atwell Ackels, Finding Christ in the World: A Twelve Week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life (Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: The Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2017), 102.
<3> Schneiders, 226.

Bibliography/Suggested Readings:
1. Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015. Kindle.
2. Schneiders, Sandra M. Jesus Risen in Our Midst: Essays on the Resurrection of Jesus in the Fourth Gospel. Collegeville, Minnesota: Liturgical Press, 2013. Kindle.
3. Tetlow, Joseph A. SJ and Carol Atwell Ackels. Finding Christ in the World: A Twelve Week Ignatian Retreat in Everyday Life. Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts: The Institute of Jesuit Sources, 2017.
4. Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009. Kindle.

Catechism References http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm:
1. God wants to give man eternal life: 55
2. Faith as a grace: 153
3. Christ as Savior: 389, 457-58, 846, 1019, 1507
4. God takes the initiative to love us: 604-5
5. Christ the Lord of eternal life: 679
6. Name of the Holy Spirit: 691
7. Israel’s exile foreshadowed the Passion: 710
8. Baptism: 1214-16
9. Baptism makes us a new creature: 1265-66
10. Necessity of works: 1815
11. Divinization: 1988, 1996
12. Graces and charisms: 2003
13. All our merit from Christ: 2006-11
14. Seated with Christ in the heavens, 2796

Fourth Sunday of Lent https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/031421-YearB.cfm
Year B
Lectionary: 32

Reading 1
2 Chronicles 36:14-16, 19-23
In those days, all the princes of Judah, the priests, and the people
added infidelity to infidelity,
practicing all the abominations of the nations
and polluting the LORD’s temple
which he had consecrated in Jerusalem.

Early and often did the LORD, the God of their fathers,
send his messengers to them,
for he had compassion on his people and his dwelling place.
But they mocked the messengers of God,
despised his warnings, and scoffed at his prophets,
until the anger of the LORD against his people was so inflamed
that there was no remedy.
Their enemies burnt the house of God,
tore down the walls of Jerusalem,
set all its palaces afire,
and destroyed all its precious objects.
Those who escaped the sword were carried captive to Babylon,
where they became servants of the king of the Chaldeans and his sons
until the kingdom of the Persians came to power.
All this was to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah:
“Until the land has retrieved its lost sabbaths,
during all the time it lies waste it shall have rest
while seventy years are fulfilled.”

In the first year of Cyrus, king of Persia,
in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah,
the LORD inspired King Cyrus of Persia
to issue this proclamation throughout his kingdom,
both by word of mouth and in writing:
“Thus says Cyrus, king of Persia:
All the kingdoms of the earth
the LORD, the God of heaven, has given to me,
and he has also charged me to build him a house
in Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
Whoever, therefore, among you belongs to any part of his people,
let him go up, and may his God be with him!”

Responsorial
Psalm 137:1-2, 3, 4-5, 6
R. (6ab) Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
By the streams of Babylon
we sat and wept
when we remembered Zion.
On the aspens of that land
we hung up our harps.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
For there our captors asked of us
the lyrics of our songs,
And our despoilers urged us to be joyous:
“Sing for us the songs of Zion!”
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
How could we sing a song of the LORD
in a foreign land?
If I forget you, Jerusalem,
may my right hand be forgotten!
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!
May my tongue cleave to my palate
if I remember you not,
If I place not Jerusalem
ahead of my joy.
R. Let my tongue be silenced, if I ever forget you!

Reading 2
Ephesians 2:4-10
Brothers and sisters:
God, who is rich in mercy,
because of the great love he had for us,
even when we were dead in our transgressions,
brought us to life with Christ — by grace you have been saved —,
raised us up with him,
and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
that in the ages to come
He might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
For by grace you have been saved through faith,
and this is not from you; it is the gift of God;
it is not from works, so no one may boast.
For we are his handiwork, created in Christ Jesus for the good works
that God has prepared in advance,
that we should live in them

Verse Before the Gospel
John 3:16
God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so everyone who believes in him might have eternal life.

Gospel
John 3:14-21
Jesus said to Nicodemus:
“Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the desert,
so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
so that everyone who believes in him may have eternal life.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
so that everyone who believes in him might not perish
but might have eternal life.
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but that the world might be saved through him.
Whoever believes in him will not be condemned,
but whoever does not believe has already been condemned,
because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.
And this is the verdict,
that the light came into the world,
but people preferred darkness to light,
because their works were evil.
For everyone who does wicked things hates the light
and does not come toward the light,
so that his works might not be exposed.
But whoever lives the truth comes to the light,
so that his works may be clearly seen as done in God.

March 22, 2020March 21, 2020

Fourth Sunday of Lent 2020

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Mass Readings

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First Reading: 1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
Responsorial: Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-6
Second Reading: Ephesians 5:8-14
Gospel: John 9:1-41

http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032220.cfm
https://www.deaconrudysnotes.org/

These are strange times, to be sure! But my brothers and sisters, I have Good News! Jesus tells us in the Gospel, “I am in the light of the world,” (John 9:5). That is such an important message for us all to hear and to believe. And it is an important message for us to share.

Someone you know right now is a healthcare worker, or a police officer or in the national guard or some other person vital to helping us get through this crisis, like people who work at power plants, sanitation workers, employees at grocery stores, pharmacies, cell phone companies, even online entertainment streaming companies. It’s so easy to be overcome by news about the virus or about the economy, especially for people who put their faith in the world.

But my brothers and sisters, we are saved only by Jesus Christ. There are people out there right now who are nervous or frightened. But Christian disciples – those who are born anew through the waters of baptism and accept Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, are called to bear witness to the truth.

As St. Paul tells us today, we need to live as children of the light, (Ephesians, 5:8). We need to share the light of Jesus Christ with others and we need to care of our Christian communities.

What does that mean? Let’s talk through some practical discipleship, in no particular order.

First, if you know someone who works in healthcare, law enforcement, the national guard, or some other employee who is required to work right now, reach out to them. They may not be able to receive a call, but maybe send them a text message or if you can, mail them a card. Let them know you are praying for them, and as one of my friends in the UK says, let them know how bloody marvelous they are!

Second, check on your family and friends – especially anyone you know who lives alone. Stay connected. Sure, messenger apps are fine, but actually try to call. Talk to encourage each other and find out if there is anything they need. It’s totally possible to help. An expat friend living in Ireland was able to reach out to a grocery store in the States and arrange for a grocery order and delivery to an elderly relative. Technology gives us so many creative opportunities to help one another. Don’t underestimate how you can help.

For those who can venture out, asking your friends, especially those who live alone and might be at higher risk, if you can pick up something for them while you’re out is a huge help! Even a book of crossword puzzles can really help lift spirits.

And one of the final things you can do, don’t forget about your Christian community – the physical building that is the anchor of our Christian communities. Regardless of the situation, you’ve got to keep the lights on – you’ve got to pay the bills. So please, if you can, send your regular contribution to your local church. They really need the money to help keep the doors so that when this crisis is over, we can all come back together.

We are Christian and if there ever was a time to show your love for others, it’s now.

Like the old Christian hymn says, “And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love, yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love!”

Homework! Nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and by an act of Spiritual Communion, I ask you to reflect on the following two questions:

The blind man went and washed, and came back able to see. How can I be more attentive to the needs of those around me?
He said, “I do believe, Lord,” and he worshipped him. How can I dedicate more time to prayer, worship and service?

Do you got it? Do you get it? Good! Now go make disciples! Y’all stay safe and flatten the curve! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit! +Amen!

References:

Lectio Divina Of The Gospels. Washington, D.C.: United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2019.
Martin, Francis and William M. Wright IV. The Gospel of John. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2015.
The Bible: A Study Bible freshly translated by Nicholas King. Buxhall, Suffolk UK: Kevin Mayhew, 2013.
Williamson, Peter S. Ephesians. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Baker Academic, 2009.

Catechism References: Easily search the Catechism at http://www.scborromeo.org/ccc.htm

Christ the light of the nations, 280, 529, 748, 1165, 2466, 2715
Original Sin, 396-406
Jesus is the Son of David, 439, 496, 559, 2616
Christians are to be light of the world, 782, 1243, 2105
Witnessing to the truth, 905, 909, 2044, 2471-73
Liturgical signs and symbols, 1145-52
Baptism is illumination, 1216
Forgiveness of sins, 1229-33
Punishments of sin, 1263-64
Christian initiation, 1472-73
Various kinds of sin, 1852
Mortal sin, 1861
Idolatry, 2113
Covetousness as impurity and as greed, 2514-15; 2534-38
The pure in heart, 2518-19
Modesty, 2521-22
Greed, 2535-38

Fourth Sunday of Lent
Lectionary: 31
Mass Readings http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/032220.cfm

First Reading
1 Samuel 16:1B, 6-7, 10-13A
The LORD said to Samuel:
“Fill your horn with oil, and be on your way.
I am sending you to Jesse of Bethlehem,
for I have chosen my king from among his sons.”

As Jesse and his sons came to the sacrifice,
Samuel looked at Eliab and thought,
“Surely the LORD’s anointed is here before him.”
But the LORD said to Samuel:
“Do not judge from his appearance or from his lofty stature,
because I have rejected him.
Not as man sees does God see,
because man sees the appearance
but the LORD looks into the heart.”
In the same way Jesse presented seven sons before Samuel,
but Samuel said to Jesse,
“The LORD has not chosen any one of these.”
Then Samuel asked Jesse,
“Are these all the sons you have?”
Jesse replied,
“There is still the youngest, who is tending the sheep.”
Samuel said to Jesse,
“Send for him;
we will not begin the sacrificial banquet until he arrives here.”
Jesse sent and had the young man brought to them.
He was ruddy, a youth handsome to behold
and making a splendid appearance.
The LORD said,
“There—anoint him, for this is the one!”
Then Samuel, with the horn of oil in hand,
anointed David in the presence of his brothers;
and from that day on, the spirit of the LORD rushed upon David.

Responsorial
Psalm 23: 1-3A, 3B-4, 5, 6.
R. (1) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
He guides me in right paths
for his name’s sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
you anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want.

Second Reading
Ephesians 5:8-14
Brothers and sisters:
You were once darkness,
but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light,
for light produces every kind of goodness
and righteousness and truth.
Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness;
rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention
the things done by them in secret;
but everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for everything that becomes visible is light.
Therefore, it says:

“Awake, O sleeper,
and arise from the dead,
and Christ will give you light.”

Verse Before The Gospel
John 8:12
I am the light of the world, says the Lord;
whoever follows me will have the light of life.

Gospel
John 9:1-41
As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
His disciples asked him,
“Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents,
that he was born blind?”
Jesus answered,
“Neither he nor his parents sinned;
it is so that the works of God might be made visible through him.
We have to do the works of the one who sent me while it is day.
Night is coming when no one can work.
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
When he had said this, he spat on the ground
and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” —which means Sent—.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

His neighbors and those who had seen him earlier as a beggar said,
“Isn’t this the one who used to sit and beg?”
Some said, “It is, “
but others said, “No, he just looks like him.”
He said, “I am.”
So they said to him, “How were your eyes opened?”
He replied,
“The man called Jesus made clay and anointed my eyes
and told me, ‘Go to Siloam and wash.’
So I went there and washed and was able to see.”
And they said to him, “Where is he?”

He said, “I don’t know.”

They brought the one who was once blind to the Pharisees.
Now Jesus had made clay and opened his eyes on a sabbath.
So then the Pharisees also asked him how he was able to see.
He said to them,
“He put clay on my eyes, and I washed, and now I can see.”
So some of the Pharisees said,
“This man is not from God,
because he does not keep the sabbath.”
But others said,
“How can a sinful man do such signs?”
And there was a division among them.
So they said to the blind man again,
“What do you have to say about him,
since he opened your eyes?”
He said, “He is a prophet.”

Now the Jews did not believe
that he had been blind and gained his sight
until they summoned the parents of the one who had gained his sight.
They asked them,
“Is this your son, who you say was born blind?
How does he now see?”
His parents answered and said,
“We know that this is our son and that he was born blind.
We do not know how he sees now,
nor do we know who opened his eyes.
Ask him, he is of age;
he can speak for himself.”
His parents said this because they were afraid
of the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed
that if anyone acknowledged him as the Christ,
he would be expelled from the synagogue.
For this reason his parents said,
“He is of age; question him.”

So a second time they called the man who had been blind
and said to him, “Give God the praise!
We know that this man is a sinner.”
He replied,
“If he is a sinner, I do not know.
One thing I do know is that I was blind and now I see.”
So they said to him,
“What did he do to you?
How did he open your eyes?”
He answered them,
“I told you already and you did not listen.
Why do you want to hear it again?

Do you want to become his disciples, too?”
They ridiculed him and said,
“You are that man’s disciple;
we are disciples of Moses!
We know that God spoke to Moses,
but we do not know where this one is from.”
The man answered and said to them,
“This is what is so amazing,
that you do not know where he is from, yet he opened my eyes.
We know that God does not listen to sinners,
but if one is devout and does his will, he listens to him.
It is unheard of that anyone ever opened the eyes of a person born blind.
If this man were not from God,
he would not be able to do anything.”
They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

When Jesus heard that they had thrown him out,
he found him and said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
He answered and said,
“Who is he, sir, that I may believe in him?”
Jesus said to him,
“You have seen him,
the one speaking with you is he.”
He said,
“I do believe, Lord,” and he worshiped him.
Then Jesus said,
“I came into this world for judgment,
so that those who do not see might see,
and those who do see might become blind.”

Some of the Pharisees who were with him heard this
and said to him, “Surely we are not also blind, are we?”
Jesus said to them,
“If you were blind, you would have no sin;
but now you are saying, ‘We see,’ so your sin remains.

or
Jn 9:1, 6-9, 13-17, 34-38

As Jesus passed by he saw a man blind from birth.
He spat on the ground and made clay with the saliva,
and smeared the clay on his eyes,
and said to him,
“Go wash in the Pool of Siloam” — which means Sent —.
So he went and washed, and came back able to see.

They answered and said to him,
“You were born totally in sin,
and are you trying to teach us?”
Then they threw him out.

March 31, 2019March 31, 2019

Fourth Sunday of Lent: The Prodigal Son

picture of a boy, back to us, with a backpack slung over his shoulder walking down a deserted street

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Readings
First Reading: Joshua 5:9A, 10-12
Psalm: Psalm 34: 2-7
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

In today’s Gospel, Luke 15:1-3 and verses 11-32, we hear that all-familiar story about the Prodigal Son. In this story, the younger son wants his share of the estate now, so he asks his father to give it to him. His father agrees and the son leaves for another country and lives an indulgent life. He’s the life of the party – until the money runs out. Of course, when it rains, it pours, so the money doesn’t just run out. No! A famine strikes. Now this poor boy has no money and no food and so he goes to work on a farm. He realizes that even the pigs live better than him, so he decides to go home. His father’s servants are treated better than this, so he hopes to live and work on this father’s place. But when his father sees him in the distance, what does he do? He runs into the field and gives him a deep bearhug! And he orders the servants to take care of son and prepare a huge party in his honor.

Now, when the older brother hears what is going on, he is ticked off! Here he’s been, the whole time, doing what he’s supposed to, working his butt off and never once has his father let him have a party! But his brother squanders his share of the wealth and he’s treated like a hero. And the father says, “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.”
This is one of my favorite stories. That image of the father running into the field to meet his son who has returned home is a powerful image. Really, it’s a wonderful story that reminds us, as Bishop Robert Barron says, that the Bible is not the story of our quest for God. It’s about God’s passionate, relentless quest for us.

But there’s another dimension to this story though that I learned from Fr. Laurence Freeman, a Benedictine monk, that I think we need to pay attention to. Why is it that we become so angry when we see someone do something they shouldn’t do? Maybe it’s because we see a little bit of ourselves – or at least the something we might have done – in the person who did something wrong.

This story about these two brothers and the father is about us. It’s about both sides of our ego. One side wants to run after pleasure – think the mid-life crisis complete with new model car and partner. The other side takes the moral high ground and feels justified in condemnation.

Isn’t it also interesting how both brothers misunderstand the father’s reaction? The younger son expects his father to be angry and indignant and he’s hoping that he’ll be allowed to work as one of the slaves. The older brother is shocked that his father is so happy and welcoming.

In the symbolism of the father’s joy, a lack of self-importance, and the exuberance of his love we see our true self – our true nature which underpins all moral reasoning. Without knowledge of the essential truth of the unconditional nature of love, the ego will prevail. So how do we keep both sides of our ego in check? We pray. We experience the community of His church. Each time we pray, we are like the prodigal returning home to be embraced.

So, don’t condemn the wrongdoer once he or she has begun to change. We need to encourage rehabilitation by affirmation, forgiveness, and acceptance. Just as the father in the Gospel celebrates the return, we need to celebrate when those who do wrong in our lives come back. We need to do unto others as we would have them do us. Jesus tells us that just as he loves us, we need to love one another.

Homework! Lent is a time of simplification and strengthening our discipline where it is weak. After being nourished by the Word of God proclaimed and, in the Eucharist, please meditate on these two questions:

Consider each of the three characters in the Gospel: the father, the Prodigal Son and the indignant son. Which one would you rather be?
Considering how you answered the first question, how do you treat other people? Do you respond more like the Prodigal Son, the indignant son or the father?

I think by doing our homework we might identify areas in our life where we need to grow in faith, hope and love. Do you got it? Are you going to do it? Well good! May Almighty God bless you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. +Amen!

Here’s a great video song from Jason Michael Carroll that captures the spirit of today’s Gospel:

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