Posted on 03/22/2014 7:29:10 AM PDT by Salvation
March 22, 2014
Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
Reading 1 Mi 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff,
the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland,
in the midst of Carmel.
Let them feed in Bashan and Gilead,
as in the days of old;
As in the days when you came from the land of Egypt,
show us wonderful signs.
Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt
and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance;
Who does not persist in anger forever,
but delights rather in clemency,
And will again have compassion on us,
treading underfoot our guilt?
You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins;
You will show faithfulness to Jacob,
and grace to Abraham,
As you have sworn to our fathers
from days of old.
Responsorial Psalm Ps 103:1-2, 3-4, 9-10, 11-12
R. (8a) The Lord is kind and merciful.
Bless the LORD, O my soul;
and all my being, bless his holy name.
Bless the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our crimes.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
For as the heavens are high above the earth,
so surpassing is his kindness toward those who fear him.
As far as the east is from the west,
so far has he put our transgressions from us.
R. The Lord is kind and merciful.
Gospel Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable.
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
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.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
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.’“
St. Deogratias
Feast Day: March 22
Died: 457
In the year 439, the city of Carthage was taken over by barbarian armies called the Vandals. They arrested the bishop and priests and put them on a large, old wooden raft and set it adrift at sea. By some miracle they reached the port of Naples and were saved. But Carthage was left without a bishop for fourteen years.
Emperor Valentinian in Rome asked Genseric, the leader of the Vandals, to allow another bishop to be appointed for Carthage. Genseric agreed and a young priest of that city was chosen. He was respected by the conquerors and loved by the Christians.
His name in Latin was "Deogratias," which, in English, means "thanks be to God." Bishop Deogratias worked hard, teaching his people the faith and looking after their well-being.
Then Genseric attacked Rome. He returned to Africa with hundreds of slaves - men, women and children. Whole families were kidnapped and divided up among the Vandals and Moors. Genseric cruelly sold family members individually and separated from their loved ones.
Bishop Deogratias heard about the tragedy. When the slave ships docked at Carthage, he bought back as many slaves as he could. He raised the money by selling the gold and silver church vessels, works of art, vestments (rich robes) and ornaments.
He tried especially to buy and keep together whole families and was able to free many slaves. He found living quarters for them. When the houses were filled up, he used two of his largest churches, Basilica Fausti and Basilica Novarum and turned them into dormitories and hospitals.
He bought bedding and other necessary items so that these refugees would feel at home in their new surroundings. When his duties gave him the time, he worked in the sick wards.
The Vandals tried many times to kill him but could not. Bishop Deogratias died in his own bed after only three years as Carthage's bishop. He was totally worn out from his life of self-sacrifice and loving service. The people he helped would never forget him. He died in 457.
After the death of Bishop Deogratias, the Vandals refused to let Carthage have a bishop for another twenty-three years.
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Why is the Church called apostolic?
The Church is called apostolic because she was founded by the apostles, holds fast to their Tradition, and is governed by their successors.
Jesus called the apostles to be his closest collaborators. They were his eyewitnesses. After his Resurrection, he appeared to them repeatedly. He bestowed on them the Holy Spirit and sent them as his authoritative messengers to all the world. They assured unity in the early Church. They conferred their mission and authority upon their successors, the bishops, through the laying on of hands. This process is called apostolic succession.
How is the one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church structured?
In the Church there are the laity and clerics (clergy). As children of God, they are of equal dignity. They have equally important but different tasks. The mission of the laity is to direct the whole world toward the kingdom of God. In addition, there are the ordained ministers (clerics), who have the duties of ecclesiastical governance, teaching, and sanctification. In both states of life, there are Christians who place themselves at God's disposal in a special way through celibacy, poverty, and obedience (for example, consecrated religious).
Every Christian has the duty to bear witness to the Gospel by his own life. But God walks a special path with each person. Some he sends as laymen, so that they might build up the kingdom of God by their family and occupation in the midst of the world. For this purpose, he bestows on them in Baptism and Confirmation all the necessary gifts of the Holy Spirit. Others he entrusts with the pastoral ministry; they are to govern, teach, and sanctify his people. No one can take this duty upon himself; the Lord himself must send him on his way with his divine power through Holy Orders, so that he can act in the place of Christ and administer the sacraments. (YOUCAT questions 137-138)
Dig Deeper: CCC section (857-860) and other references here.
Part 1: The Profession of Faith (26 - 1065)
Section 2: The Profession of the Christian Faith (185 - 1065)
Chapter 3: I Believe in the Holy Spirit (683 - 1065)
Article 9: "I believe in the Holy Catholic Church" (748 - 975)
Paragraph 3: The Church is One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic (811 - 870)
IV. THE CHURCH IS APOSTOLIC ⇡
The Church is apostolic because she is founded on the apostles, in three ways:
362.
363.
Cf. Mt 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; 1 Cor 9:1; 15:7-8; Gal 1:1; etc.
364.
Cf. Acts 2:42.
365.
Cf. 2 Tim 1:13-14.
366.
AG 5.
367.
Roman Missal, Preface of the Apostles I.
The Apostles' mission ⇡
Jesus is the Father's Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry, he "called to him those whom he desired; . ... And he appointed twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach."368 From then on, they would also be his "emissaries" (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: "As the Father has sent me, even so I send you."369 The apostles' ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: "he who receives you receives me."370
368.
369.
370.
Jesus unites them to the mission he received from the Father. As "the Son can do nothing of his own accord," but receives everything from the Father who sent him, so those whom Jesus sends can do nothing apart from him,371 from whom they received both the mandate for their mission and the power to carry it out. Christ's apostles knew that they were called by God as "ministers of a new covenant," "servants of God," "ambassadors for Christ," "servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God."372
371.
Jn 5:19, 30; cf. Jn 15:5.
372.
2 Cor 3:6; 6:4; 5:20; 1 Cor 4:1.
In the office of the apostles there is one aspect that cannot be transmitted: to be the chosen witnesses of the Lord's Resurrection and so the foundation stones of the Church. But their office also has a permanent aspect. Christ promised to remain with them always. The divine mission entrusted by Jesus to them "will continue to the end of time, since the Gospel they handed on is the lasting source of all life for the Church. Therefore, ... the apostles took care to appoint successors."373
373.
LG 20; cf. Mt 28:20.
Saturday, March 22
Liturgical Color: Violet
Today the Church recalls St Deogratius
of Carthage, bishop. He sold all his
church property to ransom Christian
slaves, especially trying to buy the
freedom of whole families. In 457 A.D.,
he was killed by Arian heretics who
denied Christs divinity.
Luke | |||
English: Douay-Rheims | Latin: Vulgata Clementina | Greek NT: Byzantine/Majority Text (2000) | |
Luke 15 |
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1. | NOW the publicans and sinners drew near unto him to hear him. | Erant autem appropinquantes ei publicani, et peccatores ut audirent illum. | ησαν δε εγγιζοντες αυτω παντες οι τελωναι και οι αμαρτωλοι ακουειν αυτου |
2. | And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying: This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. | Et murmurabant pharisæi, et scribæ, dicentes : Quia hic peccatores recipit, et manducat cum illis. | και διεγογγυζον οι φαρισαιοι και οι γραμματεις λεγοντες οτι ουτος αμαρτωλους προσδεχεται και συνεσθιει αυτοις |
3. | And he spoke to them this parable, saying: | Et ait ad illos parabolam istam dicens : | ειπεν δε προς αυτους την παραβολην ταυτην λεγων |
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11. | And he said: A certain man had two sons: | Ait autem : Homo quidam habuit duos filios : | ειπεν δε ανθρωπος τις ειχεν δυο υιους |
12. | And the younger of them said to his father: Father, give me the portion of substance that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his substance. | et dixit adolescentior ex illis patri : Pater, da mihi portionem substantiæ, quæ me contingit. Et divisit illis substantiam. | και ειπεν ο νεωτερος αυτων τω πατρι πατερ δος μοι το επιβαλλον μερος της ουσιας και διειλεν αυτοις τον βιον |
13. | And not many days after, the younger son, gathering all together, went abroad into a far country: and there wasted his substance, living riotously. | Et non post multos dies, congregatis omnibus, adolescentior filius peregre profectus est in regionem longinquam, et ibi dissipavit substantiam suam vivendo luxuriose. | και μετ ου πολλας ημερας συναγαγων απαντα ο νεωτερος υιος απεδημησεν εις χωραν μακραν και εκει διεσκορπισεν την ουσιαν αυτου ζων ασωτως |
14. | And after he had spent all, there came a mighty famine in that country; and he began to be in want. | Et postquam omnia consummasset, facta est fames valida in regione illa, et ipse cpit egere. | δαπανησαντος δε αυτου παντα εγενετο λιμος ισχυρος κατα την χωραν εκεινην και αυτος ηρξατο υστερεισθαι |
15. | And he went and cleaved to one of the citizens of that country. And he sent him into his farm to feed swine. | Et abiit, et adhæsit uni civium regionis illius : et misit illum in villam suam ut pasceret porcos. | και πορευθεις εκολληθη ενι των πολιτων της χωρας εκεινης και επεμψεν αυτον εις τους αγρους αυτου βοσκειν χοιρους |
16. | And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks the swine did eat; and no man gave unto him. | Et cupiebat implere ventrem suum de siliquis, quas porci manducabant : et nemo illi dabat. | και επεθυμει γεμισαι την κοιλιαν αυτου απο των κερατιων ων ησθιον οι χοιροι και ουδεις εδιδου αυτω |
17. | And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger? | In se autem reversus, dixit : Quanti mercenarii in domo patris mei abundant panibus, ego autem hic fame pereo ! | εις εαυτον δε ελθων ειπεν ποσοι μισθιοι του πατρος μου περισσευουσιν αρτων εγω δε λιμω απολλυμαι |
18. | I will arise, and will go to my father, and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee: | surgam, et ibo ad patrem meum, et dicam ei : Pater, peccavi in cælum, et coram te : | αναστας πορευσομαι προς τον πατερα μου και ερω αυτω πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου |
19. | I am not worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. | jam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus : fac me sicut unum de mercenariis tuis. | και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου ποιησον με ως ενα των μισθιων σου |
20. | And rising up he came to his father. And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him. | Et surgens venit ad patrem suum. Cum autem adhuc longe esset, vidit illum pater ipsius, et misericordia motus est, et accurrens cecidit super collum ejus, et osculatus est eum. | και αναστας ηλθεν προς τον πατερα αυτου ετι δε αυτου μακραν απεχοντος ειδεν αυτον ο πατηρ αυτου και εσπλαγχνισθη και δραμων επεπεσεν επι τον τραχηλον αυτου και κατεφιλησεν αυτον |
21. | And the son said to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, I am not now worthy to be called thy son. | Dixitque ei filius : Pater, peccavi in cælum, et coram te : jam non sum dignus vocari filius tuus. | ειπεν δε αυτω ο υιος πατερ ημαρτον εις τον ουρανον και ενωπιον σου και ουκετι ειμι αξιος κληθηναι υιος σου |
22. | And the father said to his servants: Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: | Dixit autem pater ad servos suos : Cito proferte stolam primam, et induite illum, et date annulum in manum ejus, et calceamenta in pedes ejus : | ειπεν δε ο πατηρ προς τους δουλους αυτου εξενεγκατε την στολην την πρωτην και ενδυσατε αυτον και δοτε δακτυλιον εις την χειρα αυτου και υποδηματα εις τους ποδας |
23. | And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it, and let us eat and make merry: | et adducite vitulum saginatum, et occidite, et manducemus, et epulemur : | και ενεγκαντες τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον θυσατε και φαγοντες ευφρανθωμεν |
24. | Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. | quia hic filius meus mortuus erat, et revixit : perierat, et inventus est. Et cperunt epulari. | οτι ουτος ο υιος μου νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν και απολωλως ην και ευρεθη και ηρξαντο ευφραινεσθαι |
25. | Now his elder son was in the field, and when he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard music and dancing: | Erat autem filius ejus senior in agro : et cum veniret, et appropinquaret domui, audivit symphoniam et chorum : | ην δε ο υιος αυτου ο πρεσβυτερος εν αγρω και ως ερχομενος ηγγισεν τη οικια ηκουσεν συμφωνιας και χορων |
26. | And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. | et vocavit unum de servis, et interrogavit quid hæc essent. | και προσκαλεσαμενος ενα των παιδων επυνθανετο τι ειη ταυτα |
27. | And he said to him: Thy brother is come, and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe. | Isque dixit illi : Frater tuus venit, et occidit pater tuus vitulum saginatum, quia salvum illum recepit. | ο δε ειπεν αυτω οτι ο αδελφος σου ηκει και εθυσεν ο πατηρ σου τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον οτι υγιαινοντα αυτον απελαβεν |
28. | And he was angry, and would not go in. His father therefore coming out began to entreat him. | Indignatus est autem, et nolebat introire. Pater ergo illius egressus, cpit rogare illum. | ωργισθη δε και ουκ ηθελεν εισελθειν ο ουν πατηρ αυτου εξελθων παρεκαλει αυτον |
29. | And he answering, said to his father: Behold, for so many years do I serve thee, and I have never transgressed thy commandment, and yet thou hast never given me a kid to make merry with my friends: | At ille respondens, dixit patri suo : Ecce tot annis servio tibi, et numquam mandatum tuum præterivi : et numquam dedisti mihi hædum ut cum amicis meis epularer. | ο δε αποκριθεις ειπεν τω πατρι ιδου τοσαυτα ετη δουλευω σοι και ουδεποτε εντολην σου παρηλθον και εμοι ουδεποτε εδωκας εριφον ινα μετα των φιλων μου ευφρανθω |
30. | But as soon as this thy son is come, who hath devoured his substance with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. | Sed postquam filius tuus hic, qui devoravit substantiam suam cum meretricibus, venit, occidisti illi vitulum saginatum. | οτε δε ο υιος σου ουτος ο καταφαγων σου τον βιον μετα πορνων ηλθεν εθυσας αυτω τον μοσχον τον σιτευτον |
31. | But he said to him: Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine. | At ipse dixit illi : Fili, tu semper mecum es, et omnia mea tua sunt : | ο δε ειπεν αυτω τεκνον συ παντοτε μετ εμου ει και παντα τα εμα σα εστιν |
32. | But it was fit that we should make merry and be glad, for this thy brother was dead and is come to life again; he was lost, and is found. | epulari autem, et gaudere oportebat, quia frater tuus hic mortuus erat, et revixit ; perierat, et inventus est. | ευφρανθηναι δε και χαρηναι εδει οτι ο αδελφος σου ουτος νεκρος ην και ανεζησεν και απολωλως ην και ευρεθη |
Daily Readings for:March 22, 2014
(Readings on USCCB website)
Collect: O God, who grant us by glorious healing remedies while still on earth to be partakers of the things of heaven, guide us, we pray, through this present life and bring us to that light in which you dwell. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
RECIPES
ACTIVITIES
o Religion in the Home for Elementary School: March
o Religion in the Home for Preschool: March
PRAYERS
o Prayer for the Second Week of Lent
o Book of Blessings: Blessing Before and After Meals: Lent (2nd Plan)
· Lent: March 22nd
· Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
The clear will of God is the light and the salvation of all men. No one can desire anything good unless God desires it. Even the best of intentions, even seemingly worthy projects, are no good if they are not God's will at the moment. Distress, suffering, even death, can be accepted as His mysterious will. His creative love is always at work drawing the greatest possible good out of everything. Be the humble servant of God's will and you will be truly wise and always at peace.
—Daily Missal of the Mystical Body
Stational Church
Meditation: One Is Your Father
One is your Father, who is in heaven; one is your teacher, Christ; you are all brothers!
In these words lies embedded the basic structure of Christian common life. The Christian ideal, life with the Church, is emphasized.
a. First, the Fatherhood of God. God is the head of the family. For the early Christians it was a new and thrilling experience to be able to address God as Abba, Father. Down to the present time this approach to God is peculiarly Christian. There is here no juridical balance between accomplishment and merit, but a predominance of grace and love. Perhaps we have grown too accustomed to this unique privilege to be duly impressed. God is our Father, we His children. To be a child of God is to have high rank through grace; this is our nobility. Lent should deepen this Father-child relationship, should increase our confidence in God's fatherly goodness and care, should deepen our spirit of obedience and childlike reverence.
b. Christ is our teacher and master. We are called Christians, but do we always act so as to deserve the name? Do we give constant attention to maintaining our Christian dignity? Are we humble enough to learn from Christ, as willing pupils? His message comes to us most clearly in the Gospel. A good student would never tire of examining the Gospel and following in his master's footsteps. Christ speaks to us also through His priests, in the Church. Let us hold fast His doctrine, and esteem His commands, especially His principal commandment, love. No longer I, but Christ lives in me!
c. We are all brothers! We are God's great family, bound by a strong, common bond. Community is the word we have rediscovered-community in prayer, in sacrifice, in common action. We must make this truth operative in every group of which we are part, e.g., family, business, factory, parish, state! But what special significance this truth assumes at divine services, at holy Mass! There we are grouped around our teacher, Christ. We are His members, and He leads us to the Father. Yes, in the Sacrifice of the Mass all three are together: Father, teacher, and brothers.
Excerpted from The Church's Year of Grace, Pius Parsch
The Station is in the church of Sts. Peter and Marcellinus, two celebrated martyrs of Rome under the persecution of Diocletian. Their relics were brought to the church in 1256, and the church was restored the the same year on order from Pope Alexander IV.
2nd Week of Lent
I shall get up and go to my father. (Luke 15:18)
Imagine for a minute that you are the prodigal son. You have taken off with your father’s money and now have nothing to show for it. What you’ve done with it, you can’t mention out loud. You’re so deep in debt you can’t feed yourself, so you’re starving. Your life is so complicated that you can’t see any way out.
Mercifully, not many of us get to that point. And yet, some of us have had experiences we can’t mention in public. Some of us have squandered God’s grace recklessly or foolishly. Some of us are spiritually starving for God’s love and affection, forgiveness and affirmation.
If that’s you, do what the prodigal son did! Go to your heavenly Father, and tell him the truth about your life as only you know it. Tell him the worst that you know about yourself, and start a conversation with him. Yes, it can be frightening and humbling. The prodigal son probably struggled with those feelings, too. Say whatever occurs to you, or use the prodigal’s words, “Father, I have sinned and don’t deserve to be called your child.”
When you go to God like this, you’ll likely be amazed at his response. He won’t deal with you according to your sins! He is outrageously rich in mercy, love, and compassion. His kindness and goodness are limitless. And they are for you.
So start the conversation this Lent. What have you done? What have you failed to do? What do you lack? What do you need? Get up and go to your Father, however ill-equipped or unprepared you feel. Go ahead and confess your sins. Celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation, and leave your sins at your Father’s feet.
Then, let God meet you with the same joyful, generous, and kind welcome that the father in today’s reading had for his younger son. The psalmist tells us, “As far as the east is from the west, so far have our sins been removed from us” (Psalm 103:12). As parents feel for their children, God feels right now for you. He is waiting to take you in his arms and shower you with love!
“Father, I have sinned. Let me tell you about it today so that I can feel your love and kindness.”
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20; Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Daily Marriage Tip for March 22, 2014:
Share a childhood memory. Who was your best friend, or your favorite subject in school? What seemed like a crisis at the time but you were eventually able to overcome or forget? Talk it over.
The Prodigal Father | ||
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Saturday of the Second Week of Lent
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Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32 Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to him, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them he addressed this parable. Then he said, "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ´Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.´ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ´How many of my father´s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."´ So he got up and went back to his father. 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. His son said to him, ´Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.´ But his father ordered his servants, ´Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.´ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ´Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.´ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ´Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.´ He said to him, ´My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. 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.´" Introductory Prayer: Lord, though I cannot see you with my eyes, I believe you are present to me now, in my innermost being, and that you know me far better than I know myself. I also know that you love me much more than I love my own self. Thank you for loving and watching over me, though I don’t deserve your love. In return, I offer you my sorrow for my sins and my hope to love you more each day. Petition: Jesus, guide me to a complete rejection of sin in my life. 1. Love: The Double-Edged Sword: Place yourself in the father´s shoes. He loves his sons, sacrifices himself for them, and has tremendous hope and fatherly pride in them. He intensely wants them to be happy and seeks what´s best for them. Above all, he wants them to respond to his love for them with the same generosity, the same intensity of self-giving. There is nothing more painful for a lover than unanswered, ignored or scorned love. Imagine how much God loves us: he sends his only begotten Son into the world, to become man––with all the limitations and suffering this entails––to die on a cross, in our place, because of our sins. 2. Forgetting to Count Your Blessings: The minute the son begins to think about himself and turn his attention away from the father´s love is the minute he begins to have problems that will lead to spiritual and material bankruptcy. Asking for his inheritance was tantamount to wishing his father´s death, since an inheritance is bestowed only after the death of one’s parents. How many times have I asked God to die by choosing my own will over his? Self-centeredness leads to ingratitude: forgetting that I have received everything from God through no merit of my own and that it will all return to him. Self-centeredness also leads to trying to find happiness anywhere except the one place it truly is found: God. 3. A Rude Awakening: Anytime we turn away from the love and grace of God and turn to sin, we lose our senses and leave God for a “distant country.” God´s will is our home, even if on the surface it may seem unpleasant. Sin blinds the intellect and weakens the will. Its every moment is a point of departure. But—every saint has a past and every sinner has a future. We can turn back to God right now. He is with us right here, right now, pouring out his grace. He ardently longs for us to respond to him, just as the father in the parable must have longed for the return of his son. I can stand up. I can return to my Father. I can bury my past in Christ. I can go to him for forgiveness. Conversation with Christ: Heavenly Father, I clearly see the many times I have said “No” to you and chosen myself. I give thanks for having such a patient and forgiving father as you. I am sorry for my lack of love for you. Now I reject sin once more and turn back to you, confident of your mercy and forgiveness. Resolution: I will say a heartfelt act of contrition, relishing God´s love and mercy for me. |
March 22, 2014
In this parable the father represents our Lord God who is ever forgiving of our wrongdoings. He offers us mercy and allows us to repent so we may be able to receive His grace. The younger son has everything, and yet he chooses to live on his own. In the end when everything goes wrong and he has nowhere to go to and nothing to eat, he realizes his mistake. He lowers his pride and in words of a layman, he says, “Sorry.” On the other hand, the elder son obeys and works for his father. Seeing his younger brother come back and his father accepting him with open arms maddens him. How come his hard work has not proved to have any reward to bear fruit, and yet his younger brother who has not even bothered to work received such rewards?
Sometimes some of us do not understand how God works. He gives blessings to those who have gone and come back and nothing to those who stay by His side. But is it really nothing? No. We work in order to give back what He has given us, and He has given us so much, even His only begotten Son. In verse 31, the Father voiced out that everything He has is ours and He is glad that we are by Him. This is the reward, of being by His side and being saved from sin.
Not only does this story apply in the family, but also in relationships, friends or in a stressful work area. Which characters are we in the story? Do you see yourself as the younger son, or as the elder son? We may already have heard this story countless times, but there will always be a new way to look at it.
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The Lord called me before I was born, while I was in my mother's womb he named me. Isaiah 49:1
Saturday of the Second week of Lent
Commentary of the day
Saint Romanos Melodios (?-c.560), composer of hymns
Hymn 55 ; SC 283
"Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him"
How many there are who, through repentance, have been worthy to receive the love you hold for humankind. You justified the anguished publican and the weeping woman who was a sinner (Lk 18.14; 7,50) for, through a predetermined design, you foresee and grant pardon. Convert me also together with them, you who desire that all should be saved.
My soul was soiled as it put on the garment of its sins (Gn 3,21). O let me make fountains flow from my eyes that I may purify it by repentance. Clothe me with the shining robe worthy of your wedding (Mt 22,12), you who desire that all should be saved...
O heavenly Father, have compassion for my cry as you did for the prodigal son, for I, too, am throwing myself at your feet and crying aloud as he cried: “Father, I have sinned!” Do not reject me your unworthy child, O my Savior, but cause your angels to rejoice also on my behalf, O God of goodness who desire that all should be saved.
For you have made me your child and your own heir through grace (Rm 8,17). Yet as for me, because I have offended you, am here a prisoner, an unhappy slave sold over to sin! Take pity on your own image (Gn 1,26) and call it back from exile, O Savior, you who desire that all should be saved...
Now is the time for repentance... The words of Paul urge me to persevere in prayer (Col 4,2) and await you. Therefore with trust I pray for I well know your mercy, I know you come the first towards me and I am calling out for help. Should you delay it is to give me the reward for perseverance, you who desire that all should be saved.
Grant me always to extol you and give you glory by leading a life that is pure. Grant that my deeds may be in accord with my words that I may sing to you, Almighty... with pure prayer, Christ alone who desires that all should be saved.
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