22/03/2025

Second Saturday of Lent

My first thought as I scanned through the familiar "Prodigal Son" was that the Jews are the eldest son, recipients of God's revelation of himself, but that the "Prodigal Son" himself is certainly not Jesus.

I "scanned" the Gospel not only because it is familiar but because I had been captivated by the beauty of the first reading and of the psalm.

I have often wondered what had displeased IAMFATHERSONHOLYSPIRIT so much about his "Chosen Ones"  that he had had to purge their guilt by himself becoming man to enable the "Perfect Sacrifice for the Forgiveness of sin" to be made.

How is it possible that the prayer that glorifies and submits to IAMIAM with such deep-hearted fervour in the Old Testament "You will show faithfulness to Jacob, and steadfast love to Abraham, as you have sworn to our fathers from days of old" can have become unacceptable to the Loving Father of all mankind?

In the Gospel parable Jesus is telling us that we have to pray that we can become as ready as he is to forgive not only the evil created by our own sins but also that of the whole world so that His Love can grow in fertile souls that have been washed clean in the water of Baptism and fed with his Body and Blood.

We are only responsible for our own deeds. Each one of us is the "Prodigal Son" who by returning to Our Father fills His heart with joy for we have shown that we believe and take full responsibility for our sins which are so great that they have to be borne by the tortured, derided and dead Incarnate Son on Calvary to attain the infinity of Mercy that is their only absolution. 

Sin and its results has to be destroyed. The Jews couldn't do this on their own. Neither can we. It can only be done by True Man on the cross for he is also the infinite mystery of True God Infinitely forgiving those who turn to him. When we turn to him with faith and sincerity we can all be sure that we will be welcomed back into his arms with Loving Joy and much more than a "fatted calf".