The parable of the Prodigal Son is well known and it speaks to some deep forces in our hearts. Like the two sons, we have the chance each day to “come to our senses” to receive mercy and “celebrate and rejoice” when we can share that mercy with one another.
God calls every generation to repentance as we observe in the book of Jonah and the Gospel of Luke today. Rather than chase after miracles, wonders and signs, may we respond to this ongoing call to conversion of heart – turning away from sin and turning toward the Lord.
As Jesus teaches the disciples the Lord’s Prayer he also reveals the power of forgiveness to transform and heal our lives. This commandment – at times difficult to carry out – is crucial for us to receive the Lord’s forgiveness as we forgive one another.
Temptation is a part of life, and the fall of Adam & Eve remind us that we encounter temptations each day as a result of sin. We have hope, however, for the triumph of Jesus over the temptations of Satan inspires us to return to the Lord when we fail and seek the grace we need to flourish.
The temptation of Adam & Eve illustrates for us how sin can erode our relationships with God and one another. As we come to understand their temptation, we seek the Lord in our moments of trial, asking for the grace (and when necessary, forgiveness) of Jesus Christ.
Christ, the Great Shepherd, looks upon our weakness with compassion and reaches out to guide and strengthen us for the journey through this life and into the next.
We discover from the Letter to the Hebrews and the Gospel of Mark three powerful insights about the Lord which can inspire us to draw near to the one who knows us and meets us where we are in life…that we might grow in grace.
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Photo Credit: Stained Glass Window, St. Patrick Catholic Church, Bisbee, Arizona
Another podcast from Indiana…this time with Fr. Andrew’s nephews Drew & Dominic. They discuss the miracle of the paralytic, where Jesus both forgives sins and heals the body at the same time.
Jesus offers us a glimpse of the power and beauty of the Kingdom of God, inspiring us to live the Lord’s love today as we set our eyes on the world to come.