March 06, 2016 Sunday, 4th Sunday of Lent 1st Reading: Jos 5:9a, 10-12 2nd Reading: 2 Cor 5:17-21 Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
There was a man with two sons. The younger said to his father: ’Give me my share of the estate.’ So the father divided his property between them.
“The younger son started off for a distant land where he squandered his wealth in loose living. Having spent everything, he hired himself out to a well-to-do citizen of that place and was sent to work on a pig farm. Finally coming to his senses, he said: ’How many of my father’s hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will get up and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against God and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me then as one of your hired servants.’
“He was still a long way off when his father caught sight of him. His father was so deeply moved with compassion that he ran out to meet him, threw his arms around his neck and kissed him. The son said: ’Father, I have sinned against Heaven and before you. I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
“But the father turned to his servants: ’Quick! Bring out the finest robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and kill it. We shall celebrate and have a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has come back to life. He was lost and is found.’ And the celebration began.
“Meanwhile, the elder son had been working in the fields. As he returned and was near the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing.
“The elder son became angry and refused to go in. His father came out and pleaded with him. The indignant son said: ’Look, I have slaved for you all these years. Never have I disobeyed your orders. Yet you have never given me even a young goat to celebrate with my friends. Then when this son of yours returns after squandering your property with loose women, you kill the fattened calf for him.’ “The father said: ’My son, you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But this brother of yours was dead, and has come back to life. He was lost and is found. And for that we had to rejoice and be glad.’”
D@iGITAL-EXPERIENCE (Daily Gospel in the Assimilated Life Experience)
The character of the prodigal son makes us reflect on how we might have squandered God’s grace. The attitude of the elder brother makes us guilty, for we too might have driven others away from God’s house. The character of the father shows us how far mercy and compassion can go. Which character are we in the story? — Rev. Fr. Dan Domingo P. delos Angeles, Jr., DM. Email: dan.delosangeles@gmail.com. Website: www.frdan.org.
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