Fourth Sunday in Lent 2022
Exodus 3: 1-8; 13-15.
1 Corinthians 10: 1-6; 10-12.
Luke 13: 1-9
Exodus 3: 1-8; 13-15.
1 Corinthians 10: 1-6; 10-12.
Luke 13: 1-9
Today's three readings give different aspects of God's tremendous generosity: Joshua tells of the new life given to the Israelites after they escaped from Egypt and entered the Promised Land, where they had the opportunity to live with hearts open to their God - an opportunity which they continued to reject time after time. Paul uses "reconcile" five times as he explores the depths of God's forgiveness through which we become a totally new creation.
Perhaps the Gospel parable should be called the parable of the resentful brother! It's not just a moral tale about someone who bas fallen on hard times and finally pulls himself together. All young people eventually have to leave the nest, spread their wings; and parents have to allow them to fly that nest and do their own thing, even when it involves mistakes from which - hopefully! - they'll learn and grow. There's the youngster who's full of ambition, greedy, intensely selfish, totally wrapped up in himself. son insults and embarrasses his father by asking for his inheritance - as if his father were already dead - and then squanders it outrageously in a way which brings shame to him and his family. Contrast his conduct with that of the dutiful elder son, who's never questioned his father's authority, much less rebelled against it: he's never made a false move, never played around. But that leaves him hurt, soured, embittered, resentful and, perhaps, jealous as he broods and sulks.
There’s a bit of each of those three characters in each of us: sometimes like the younger son, we want to grab everything we can from life and forget about the con sequences.
At other times, we're more the elder son who wants others to suffer for the grim loyalty which has left him so bitter. Then, perhaps, just occasionally, we're like the father, ready to forgive the youngster who doesn't deserve such generous forgiveness.
The twist in the story is that Jesus tells it to the scribes and Pharisees who grumbled that He was mixing with tax collectors and sinners - just like the elder son who grumbles about the lifestyle of his younger brother.
The story remains unfinished. As the camera fades out, we're left wondering at the father who stands outside, pleading with the elder son to come in and join the party ... what did be do? What about us? Are we carrying resentment which steals our joy? Have we learned to be less judgemental? Can we embrace the way of forgiveness in our own lives, or do we prefer to remain outside, clinging to our memories of hurts, anger and offences?
Last week, I called the Gospel about the fig tree "the Gospel of the second chance." Today's Gospel sees an even more and always generous God Who will continue to forgive. It's never too late to turn our lives around to bear fruit in God's eyes.
During Lent, the Church asks us to confess our sins and be reconciled, no matter bow long we've been away, no matter how far we think we've strayed. The same Father is waiting for us to come back to Him and simply ask for His forgiveness, so that He can assure us that we are reconciled, and so share in His Son's goodness.
Pope Francis invites us to come and join in God's extravagant mercy, to be, "Merciful like the Father," and we are invited not to judge or condemn, but to forgive. The Holy Father is fond of saying that God never tires of offering us mercy ... it's us who tire of asking for it!