Greetings on this the Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Readings: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
Summary
The author of the Gospel according to Luke arranged three parables together in response to this antagonistic prompting. The purpose is clear, that is, to help us see love more clearly.
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the [Leadership] and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them. So to them Jesus addressed th[ese] parable[s] (LK 15:1-3).
Three Parables of which the third speaks most specifically about being a son and brother.
- The Parable of the Lost Sheep – What man among you having a hundred sheep and losing one of them would not leave the ninety-nine in the desert and go after the lost one until he finds it? (LK 15:4).
- The Parable of the Lost Coin – And when she does find it, she calls together her friends and neighbors and says to them, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found the coin that I lost.’ (LK 15:9).
- The Parable of the Lost Son – While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him (LK 15:20).
Responding to Others
- See him. Even when far away and not in close proximity we must see each other.
- Have compassion for him. We are not the judge of his repentance (act) and contrition (feeling). We are his brother who must have compassion which means to co-journey with him in his passion.
- Run to him. It is not enough to know, to sympathize, we must RUN to the aid of another.
- Embrace him. To embrace means to disregard any repulsive thing that may be present (smell, infection, crime, injury). We see it but not repulsed by it.
- Kiss him. To kiss means to offer the interior of ourselves. A kiss transmits a calming balm, a sharing spirit and a portion of self that cannot be given another way.
Which is first?
As the story is told the prodigal son realizes his sin and returns to the Father for forgiveness? That is the formal presentation, yes. It is to help us with dealing with the deeper pain of sin. The reality is the prodigal son realized how much he is loved and to the love he desires to return. It is rejection of love that burns the soul so intensely.
You see the entirety of the exchange is not the sin, or contrition or repentance although all these things are necessary. The Father never said “I forgive you”. He didn’t need to, nor did the son need to hear it. The love is greater.
- It’s the love.
- It’s the rejoicing.
- It’s the return.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found (LK 15:32).
Personal Reflection
As to responding to others. I must confess here that when I am consistent in my ministry of hospital and chaplaincy there is an ease and interior peace that is provided and is helpful to people. However, when I am not in these settings for a time, the effort alone is not sufficient and quite deficient. It misses the interior peace which comes from the comfort of being in the Lord’s hands. It is not as if I am without the Lord. No. It’s because I am not acting in the image and likeness of the Lord that makes it less than the best.
I need to be as vigilant as the Father scanning the horizon for sight of his son. That is the part that is missing sometimes. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him (LK 15:20).
Prodigal Son Resources
I have the entire study here: https://deacongerrypalermo.blog/2024/03/02/the-return-of-the-prodigal-son-henri-j-m-nouwen/
Sacred Readings full text: https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm
Peace be with you,
Deacon Gerry