FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT C
FRESH LESSON FROM AN
OLD STORY
What else is there to learn from
the story of the prodigal son? Except to avoid becoming one like him. We think
we know everything about this parable and what it is telling to to do. We want
to avoid becoming a prodigal to our parents, and to our Father in heaven.
But the story of the prodigal son
reveals a hidden hope about experiencing the mercy of God.
The young son has become a poster
boy of bad behavior – getting his inheritance, abandoning his family, living
recklessly, losing everything in an instant, living in misery.
But surprisingly, when all is
lost, the prodigal makes the most crucial and courageous decision of all – to
return to his Father. That would be difficult and shameful, but he would love
to trace his steps back to where he came from.
What is waiting for him there? No
more inheritance, just some food, just a warm bed. And how was he to look into his Father’s eyes and was he
ready to listen to scolding reprimand? How was he to face his older
brother? Was it easy to feel the
ridicule of the household servants?
He must have been truly inspired
by something. The boy gets up and immediately return home, without listening to
fear and shame. He was humble
enough to experience the mercy of his Father. He has lost all pride. In his
heart there was a gamble to make: he would only trust that his Father will not
send him away. That his Father would understand, as before.
And it happened. Instead of
anger, the boy felt the Father’s embrace. Instead of reprimand, he felt the
warmest welcome. Instead of shame, he felt an undeserved honor.
When we lose the life of grace,
it is easy to lose our way as well. Pride tells us not to return to the Father.
Fear tells us to move farther away.
But the grace of God makes our
heart ready to feel sorry, to ask pardon, to beg mercy and to experience the
incomparable love of God. This
Lent, may we be like the prodigal son in his trust and confidence that the
Father will understand.
