RECONCILIATION WITH GOD - 03/27/22 (Fourth Sunday of Lent)

Luke 15:20-24

20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, `Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.' 22 But the father said to his servants, `Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet; 23 and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; 24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.

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Blessed Fourth Sunday of Lent! Today, it is also called "Laetare Sunday", and the word "Laetere" means "Rejoice." We should truly rejoice because our Lord is merciful, and He grants us hope to everlasting life despite our sins which offend Him. In the parable, the life of the prodigal son shows us the reality of sin when we turn away from God. There are times when we use our freedom in seeking the satisfaction of the flesh and worldly temptations. We may even think that these bring meaning to our lives. However, God will remind us that these are nothing but empty pleasures and continuing in this sinful lifestyle will lead us to distress and despair. 

When we commit grave sins which cause our spiritual death, we misuse and waste the gifts, graces and blessings that God gives us. But, there is nothing to despair as long as we put our hope in the goodness of God. The father in the parable was always waiting for his prodigal son to return. When he saw his son, he ran to him and embraced him. Even when we are in the darkest moments of our lives due to sin, our God is still waiting for us and calling us back to Him. He desires to embrace us with His Merciful love. 

When we are in the state of grave sin, we can be reconciled to our Lord through the sacrament of reconciliation or confession. In confession, we acknowledge before Jesus, who uses priests as His instruments, the sins which deeply offended Him and made us unworthy of entering heaven. Even though the priests speak of the absolution, it is truly Jesus who forgives us of all our sins. Through this sacrament, we become a new creation, and we are clothed by the righteousness of God. We are raised up from our spiritual death. 

But, it is not enough for us to only go to confession. After the father clothed his prodigal son, he made a feast. This represents the necessity of the Sacrament of the Eucharist or the Mass. One needs to be in the state of grace first before we can receive and partake of the Body and Blood of Jesus in the Mass. We are filled by His Mercy which will make us bear fruit in our spiritual lives as we imitate Him. In order for us to enter the promised land of Heaven, we need to taste and see the goodness of Jesus in the sacrament of the Eucharist. 

It is interesting that in the parable, the elder son did not experience any feast even though he always claimed to be obedient to his father. Unfortunately, he did not see that he was consumed by anger, pride, jealousy and many other sins. It was as if the father was only waiting for his elder son to humble himself, acknowledge his faults and reconcile with the father like what the prodigal son did. When is our last confession? Did we commit grave sins after that? If yes, let's remember that God is merciful. He is just waiting for us to repent of our sins and come back to Him in the Sacraments if we are living in a sinful lifestyle. His Merciful Arms will embrace us and exalt us to His Heavenly feast.  

Amen +

 

Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, be with us always until the hour of our death. Amen. +

 

May the Lord + bless us, protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. Amen. +  

Reflection by: Dominic