This homily was part of a Communal Penance Service at the Cathedral on November 29, 2022. Reflecting on the Parable of the Lost Son, we take time this Advent to “Come to our senses” and return to the Lord.
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Tag Archives: Prodigal son
24th Sunday of the Year: To love without limit. Catholic Inspiration
The parable of the Prodigal Son is well known, yet when we reflect on the depth of the father’s love we are challenged to live up to this incredible standard: to love without limit.
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
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24th Sunday of the Year: The Prodigal Son.
Study: Recall a time when you experienced a moment of profound forgiveness. How did it change you?
Pray: Are you holding on to anger and resentment? Pray for God’s mercy to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there someone you know in need of mercy? Is there some way you can help others, especially when they are caught up in shame, embarrassment, or the awkwardness of their weaknesses and sins?
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
We hear in the Gospel of Luke the familiar parable of the The Prodigal Son. It’s worth a moment to touch on a few key points from this passage:
- The younger son asks for his inheritance before his time (what kind of person does this?)
- The younger son completely wastes the entire inheritance; he has no excuse
- The younger son hits “rock bottom” and figures it’s better to be a servant with his dad than starving with the pigs
- The Father’s mercy is overwhelming: ring, robe, sandals, fatted calf, and a party
- The older son is furious – this is not justice!
- The Father is also merciful to his older son as he teaches him about mercy
What a powerful parable! In our daily lives the need for forgiveness is so compelling that it is vital to dwell on the divine mercy of God and recall our need to return to the Lord in our moments of weakness and sin.
Like both brothers in the parable, we all sin and fall short of God’s grace; yet like the brothers, we also have a Father who loves and welcomes us whenever we seek to turn back. Both brothers could speak to their Father – in either humility or anger – and the Father responds to both with tenderness.
Today I would like to suggest two key points for our reflection in the light of this passage:
- How are my sins keeping me from God and others in my life?
- What steps do I need to take to return to the Lord and receive his grace?
God longs to welcome us back, and when we can humbly embrace our mistakes and sins we discover a grace beyond anything imaginable. May we have the courage to examine our hearts and return to the Lord – the source of all mercy.
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Note: This post was first published on September 5, 2016.
If you find these posts helpful for your spiritual life:
- Please follow my blog (top right corner of the screen) and you will receive an email every time I post.
- Please share my posts on your Facebook page – “word of mouth” is still the best promotion!
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4th Sunday of Lent: The love of the Father. Catholic Inspiration
The parable of the Prodigal Son proclaims the tender compassion of the Father. In our wayward moments the Lord continues to run to us in our need, reaching out with mercy, forgiveness and love.
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent
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4th Sunday of Lent: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
Study: Reflect on your life for a moment. When was a time you really (REALLY) messed up? When was a time you were upset that others didn’t “get what they deserve” when it came to punishment?
Pray: What in your life needs God’s forgiveness and mercy right now? Ask for the Lord’s grace.
Serve: How can you reach out to others, to foster reconciliation and a new beginning? How can you help heal a situation in your life?
Mass Readings – 4th Sunday of Lent
Who doesn’t know the parable of the Prodigal Son? This story told by Jesus has 3 main characters:
- The Father – who reaches out to his sons
- The Younger Son – who is reckless and wasteful in his sins
- The Older Son – who is angry and unwilling to forgive his brother
Let’s start with the Younger Son. He messes up – no question about that. He presumes his inheritance, wastes it on sinful living, and is reduced to abject poverty through his own fault. Finally, at the end of his rope he comes to his senses and asks for mercy, if only to be a servant in his Father’s house.
The Older Son is dutiful, hard working, and faithful. He does his duty and carries out every command. Yet when he hears how the Father celebrates his younger brother’s return he is angry…it’s not fair!
Finally the Father. Note how the Father goes out to both of his sons. The Father takes the initiative:
- with the Younger Son he runs out to meet him and assure him a place in the household
- with the Older Son he goes out to meet him to encourage forgiveness and welcome
Perhaps we might use the next few days to consider this simple question: Which Son am I? Have I made some really bad mistakes, caused harm, and wounded relationships with others? Have I held on to a grudge, nursing old injuries, unwilling to forgive and seek reconciliation? Or perhaps we are a mixture of both – making our share of messes and denying mercy to those in need.
Whatever we discover about ourselves, we will find our Father who comes to meet us where we are and lead us to a deeper level of grace. May we return to the Lord in our need and be filled with the grace of healing reconciliation.
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If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
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Note: This post was first published on February 29, 2016.
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Daily Mass: Run to the Father! Catholic Inspiration
The Prodigal Son is a favorite parable for many, and it has layers of meaning and insight that serve us well. Whether it’s forgiveness or mercy we require, may we run to our Heavenly Father, trusting that the Lord will never give up on us.
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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Daily Mass: Two sons, two sides of mercy. Catholic Inspiration
Mass Readings – Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent
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.
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Archive of Fr. Andrew’s Podcasts
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24th Sunday of the Year – The Prodigal Son
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Study: Recall a time when you experienced a moment of profound forgiveness. How did it change you?
Pray: Are you holding on to anger and resentment? Pray for God’s mercy to soften your heart.
Serve: Is there someone you know in need of mercy? Is there some way you can help others, especially when they are caught up in shame, embarrassment, or the awkwardness of their weaknesses and sins?
Mass Readings – 24th Sunday of the Year
We hear in the Gospel of Luke the familiar parable of the The Prodigal Son. It’s worth a moment to touch on a few key points from this passage:
- The younger son asks for his inheritance before his time (what kind of person does this?)
- The younger son completely wastes the entire inheritance; he has no excuse
- The younger son hits “rock bottom” and figures it’s better to be a servant with his dad than starving with the pigs
- The Father’s mercy is overwhelming: ring, robe, sandals, fatted calf, and a party
- The older son is furious – this is not justice!
- The Father is also merciful to his older son as he teaches him about mercy
What a powerful parable! In this Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy it seems appropriate to dwell on the divine mercy of God and recall our need to return to the Lord in our moments of weakness and sin.
Like both brothers in the parable, we all sin and fall short of God’s grace; yet like the brothers, we also have a Father who loves and welcomes us whenever we seek to turn back. Both brothers could speak to their Father – in either humility or anger – and the Father responds to both with tenderness.
Today I would like to suggest two key points for our reflection in the light of this passage:
- How are my sins keeping me from God and others in my life?
- What steps do I need to take to return to the Lord and receive his grace?
God longs to welcome us back, and when we can humbly embrace our mistakes and sins we discover a grace beyond anything imaginable. May we have the courage to examine our hearts and return to the Lord – the source of all mercy.
*************************
If you find these posts helpful for your spiritual life:
- Please follow my blog (top right corner of the screen) and you will receive an email every time I post.
- Please share my posts on your Facebook page – “word of mouth” is still the best promotion!
- If you use iTunes you can subscribe to my podcasts at “Catholic Inspiration” and each new message will be delivered right to you.
Share this:
4th Sunday of Lent: Open the Door of Mercy. Catholic Inspiration
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast – 4th Sunday of Lent
This Gospel parable is well known and applicable to our lives today. There are times when we can identify with both sons – either in need of mercy or called to give it – and we find a Father who runs out to meet us where we are. May we open wide the doors of our hearts…and encounter Mercy.
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4th Sunday of Lent – Two Sons
Study: Reflect on your life for a moment. When was a time you really (REALLY) messed up? When was a time you were upset that others didn’t “get what they deserve” when it came to punishment?
Pray: What in your life needs God’s forgiveness and mercy right now? Ask for the Lord’s grace.
Serve: How can you reach out to others, to foster reconciliation and a new beginning? How can you help heal a situation in your life?
4th Sunday of Lent Readings – Year C
Fr. Andrew’s Homily Podcast
Who doesn’t know the parable of the Prodigal Son? This story told by Jesus has 3 main characters:
- The Father – who reaches out to his sons
- The Younger Son – who is reckless and wasteful in his sins
- The Older Son – who is angry and unwilling to forgive his brother
Let’s start with the Younger Son. He messes up – no question about that. He presumes his inheritance, wastes it on sinful living, and is reduced to abject poverty through his own fault. Finally, at the end of his rope he comes to his senses and asks for mercy, if only to be a servant in his Father’s house.
The Older Son is dutiful, hard working, and faithful. He does his duty and carries out every command. Yet when he hears how the Father celebrates his younger brother’s return he is angry…it’s not fair!
Finally the Father. Note how the Father goes out to both of his sons. The Father takes the initiative:
- with the Younger Son he runs out to meet him and assure him a place in the household
- with the Older Son he goes out to meet him to encourage forgiveness and welcome
Perhaps we might use the next few days to consider this simple question: Which Son am I? Have I made some really bad mistakes, caused harm, and wounded relationships with others? Have I held on to a grudge, nursing old injuries, unwilling to forgive and seek reconciliation? Or perhaps we are a mixture of both – making our share of messes and denying mercy to those in need.
Whatever we discover about ourselves, we will find our Father who comes to meet us where we are and lead us to a deeper level of grace. May we return to the Lord in our need and be filled with the grace of healing reconciliation.
********************
If you are looking for more material to help you this Lent, you might consider this list of presentations I have offered over the last couple of years. Feel free to check it out and share if you find it helpful:
Podcast Resources for a Powerful Lent
Three Great Things 