Stations of the Cross every week day following 5:30 mass during Lent

 

4th Sunday Lent C

Message from Fr. Brito:

 

     The Parable in today’s gospel is well known.  The parable is known by many names, but the ones I prefer is "The parable of the merciful and loving Father". But before contemplating the father, let's take a look at each of his sons. The youngest son asks his father about his part of the inheritance that was going to come to him at the death of his father. The father divides his property between his two sons. The younger son goes out, as we have heard in the Gospel, and loses all his inheritance in a life of sin and pleasure.

     What seems to be bad luck for the younger son is actually his opportunity for grace and the restoration of his dignity. The famine that hits the land in which he has found himself, will bring him to his senses.

While the young man reaches the bottom, he begins to realize how good his father was. "How many my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger! I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father  I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers”

    In his humility, he does not expect to be received by his father as before, but only has hope of being received simply as a servant. It is through his act of humility that he is received back into the arms of his Father. The joy of the father on receiving his son back is so overwhelming that he wants to share his joy with everyone. The eldest son, on the other hand, will have nothing to do with this celebration. The father tries to reason with his eldest son to join his life of joy. But the older son prefers to remain in his misery, preferring to remain dead.

    Saint Paul says: Love is patient and love is kind. The Father is patient and kind, because the Father is love.  St. Paul also tells us that love is not jealous. The older son does not love and this is evident by his jealousy. God wants us to be good to one another. If we do this, our life will be full of grace upon grace. Jesus says: I give you a new commandment; love one another as I have loved you. This parable is the clearest presentation of our heavenly Father. He is loving and merciful as his is only begotten Son. Amen