The Catholic Calendar for Sunday, March 25, 2001
The Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday)
Scripture from today's Liturgy of the Word:
Joshua 5:9-12
Psalm 34:2-7
1 Corinthians 5:17-21
Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Full text: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/index.htm
A Reflection on Today's Scripture:
Your brother was dead and has come to life again. (Luke 15:32)
Wise and loving fathers know the time will come when their offspring
must learn to exercise their freedom, hopefully reflecting the good
values he has instilled in them. It is a necessary risk, a time for
children to learn how the world tempts them with pleasures masked as
expressions of "maturity." Free choice can teach the young that this
world's offerings are transient, unsatisfying and often destructive.
In today's Gospel Jesus reveals His heavenly Father's heart, the love
He bears for His wayward children in hopes they will be drawn by that
love, repent and return to Him. These He runs to welcome and
celebrates with them their rejection of this world's lies and empty
promises. God does not wish to punish error; rather He desires
reconciliation with sinners, for sin carries its own punishment. When
we deliberately separate ourselves from God's love, our immortal
souls and, inevitably, our every human relationship suffers.
Through the elder son's anger and envy at his brother's return and
his father's joyous welcome of him, we see that obedience to our
heavenly Father which isn't motivated by love is sterile, fruitless.
Sadly what the elder son perceives as preferential treatment is, in
truth, the Father's constant, unconditional love given equally to all
His children open to receive it.
A parent's love is never proven by material gifts. Love is its own
reward when it is received from God and returned to Him when we apply
it in our relationships with all His children.
Merciful Father, during this Lenten season,
lead us to true repentance for our sins
and reconciliation with You in Your perfect love. Amen.
- Marie L. Bocko, ocds ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
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