Saturday of the Second Sunday of Lent
March , 2011
To see the readings, click here:
http://www.usccb.org/nab/032611.shtml
Today's gospel is the beautiful story of the prodigal son. The main message of it is the essential message of God's grace: even though we have sinned miserably, all we need do is come back to the Father and he will welcome us with open arms. In fact, he celebrates each return. All by itself, this would be enough meat to chew on for the whole of Lent.
But there are extra little touches to this story that have always intrigued me. I just love the interaction between the father and the other son, who
is upset when he comes home and finds his father throwing a feast for his good-for-nothing brother. It's easy to criticize the other brother but really, in his shoes, I think most of us would react exactly the same way. He has stayed home, done his duty, worked hard, and watched his brother go off and indulge in a lot of earthly pleasures. Now his brother returns home and instead of telling him off, his dad is throwing a party! He is jealous and angry and feels unappreciated -- and who of us wouldn't?
So what does his father do? Put him in his place and remind him it's his estate to do with as he wills? Reprimand him for not being a more loving brother? Smack him up side the head a la Gibbs from NCIS? No, he gently reminds him how much he appreciates him, and then urges him to see what a cause for celebration it is that his brother has returned. Just like I envision God: gentle, encouraging, moving us to do right by making us
want to do it, not by instilling fear if we don't.
I will be the first to admit that my son is far from average, but there are some aspects of raising him that I suspect can be generalized. And one of them is that since he was pretty young, if I get up in his face about something he will react by digging in his heels. Confrontation leads to escalating confrontation and if I'm not careful, everyone will say things they regret. But if I can keep my wits about me, I can often redirect him by appealing to his better instincts, and by letting him see that the change in behavior is important to me. Often in those situations he will muster as much grace as he can and try to please me -- not necessarily without complaint, but shall we say, with minimal complaint. And I think those interactions between us are a lot like ours with God. He doesn't like open conflict, either, and he does like it when we can be motivated to want to please Him. He knows how apt we are to dig in our heels, too. He could force us to comply, but that isn't the kind of compliance He seeks.
Thank you, Father, for loving us and wanting us to love you back. Thank you for being so willing to forgive us and for welcoming us back no matter how many times we mess up. Please help us to grow more attuned to how to please you, and more motivated to do so. Strengthen us in our resolve to resist temptation and stay on the path that leads to you. Amen
