Fourth Sunday of Lent
Growing up I thought I knew everything. My parents would try and give me advice and I would just nod my head thinking that they had no idea what they were talking about. They grew up in a different time so anything they said didn’t apply to me. Their suggestions were old and outdated.
In middle school I played basketball for the local league in town. My dad would always tell me how I could do better, but I would just ignore him. I thought that he didn’t understand so I went on playing as I typically did. My dad, being extremely patient, didn’t argue with me but allowed me to play as I wanted. And honestly, I didn’t play well. One day I finally gave in and took his suggestions. That year was my best year, and I even made the all-star team! My dad’s response wasn’t to tell me how he was right all along and how I needed to listen to him. He was simply happy for my success.
A similar situation happens in this Sunday’s Gospel. We don’t know what happened prior, but the younger son thought that he could do things on his own. He felt that his father was wasting his time or even holding him back to doing what he wanted to do. So, he took his inheritance and went out to do what he wanted with no regard for his father. As we read, he ended up blowing all his money and then a severe famine happened. Though he came from a wealthy family he was forced to work in a grueling job just to survive.
Finally, he came to his senses and remembered how good it was to live in his father’s house. How even if he were a servant, he’d have a much better life than he has now. So, he goes home ready to apologize when something unexpected happens. His father sees him off in the distance and runs to embrace him. Before the son could even apologize, his father kissed him and dressed him in fine clothes and prepared a big feast for him!
This story is a beautiful example of our relationship with God. God is always there to love us, but He will never force anything on us. He gives us the freedom to choose or reject Him, but His love remains the same either way. It saddens God when we choose to walk down the wrong path, but He doesn’t go anywhere. Like the father in the Gospel, He’s always waiting for us to come back to Him.
He also receives us with opens arms. God isn’t looking to make us feel bad for choosing the wrong path, He just celebrates when you come to your senses and return home. There is great rejoicing in heaven when just one person comes back to God. Be that one person.
Use this time during Lent to begin the journey home to God. Even if you’re a faithful Catholic, there are always things that can help deepen our relationship with Jesus. Be honest and remember that no matter what you’ve done, you always have a place in God’s house.
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