Fourth Sunday of Lent Year C (The Prodigal Son) - Gospel Reflection

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

The parable of The Prodigal Son has been my favorite for a long time.  In 2007, I was going through a struggle in understanding my Faith and trying to fill in the gaps I’d missed in my early faith formation.  A dear friend loaned me a stack of books she thought might help and most did.  One, however, stood out above the rest and has stuck with me to this day – Henri Nouwen’s The Return of the Prodigal Son.  Drawn to a friend’s print of Rembrandt’s painting of the same name, he embarked on his own prodigal journey and homecoming.

Nouwen’s layout of his book includes three main sections, each focusing on the three characters of the parable.  He began his journey relating to the younger son, then the older son, and finally the father.  I am sure we can all relate to each character at various stages of our own lives.  For me, I think I started as the older son.  As the oldest child, I grew up with the sense of being the example setter for my sister.  I always felt awful if I messed up, but also felt some twinge of jealousy when she seemed to get away with things more than me or was forgiven quicker.  Looking back, I know I had been on the receiving end of forgiveness many times myself.  My parents were demonstrating to us the teachings of Christ on forgiveness and mercy. 

In my 20s, I took my prodigal journey and began questioning my Faith.  While I never fully left the Church, my mind was not always present.  I still wanted my inheritance (a share in God’s Heaven), but I didn’t feel like working for it or even understand it.  (I still don’t know it all, but that’s all a part of growing in your Faith – never remain stagnant!)  Thankfully, I had several dear friends and family members to help guide me back.

Now, having been a parent for over 21 years, I can relate to the father.  A parent’s love and compassion are unconditional.  No matter what my children do or how far they may stray, my love will always remain for them and I will be there with open arms, ready to welcome them back -- just as our Heavenly Father does for us over and over.  God will always open His arms to welcome us back into His embrace.  The Sacrament of Reconciliation is the perfect tool instituted by Jesus to bring us back to our Father.  He waits from a distance and is “filled with compassion” each time we return. 

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Side Note:
In 2007, when I read Nouwen's book, I did a series of posts on my former blog. The link below will take you to the 1st one & links to the 2nd & 3rd are in that post. I am currently rereading the book & am curious to see what I take away from it after 15 years of growth in my Faith!

The Prodigal Son, Part One

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