Saturday of the Second Week

Reflection

How many times are we reminded in both the Old and New Testament that God is loving and merciful?  In the first reading Micah references over and over God’s forgiveness and the looking past our transgressions, pardoning of our sin and does not hold a grudge but rather is more delighted in being able to show clemency. This theme is repeated in the Responsorial with an emphasis on God’s love for us, not a focus on our sins. Luke’s gospel is a parable that we have heard many times as adults and children that tells us a story that is sometimes hard to understand. The one son is loyal to his father and seemingly chooses to do all the “right” things. The other son was given the same opportunity as far as his equal share of his father’s estate. However, he chose to go out and live a life of self-indulgence. As a parent, I can understand that there was a sense of disappointment that the second son did not use his share to benefit himself and his future. But the son is loved nevertheless and the father waited and hoped for his son to return. And when he did he was welcomed with open arms. The sons were very much loved not because of what they did or did not do but because they were his sons, his off-spring. The father did not “persist in anger” but rather celebrated in the compassion his love for each of them.

God is waiting for us with open arms like the father in the parable.  God’s kindness and mercy prevail no matter our choices.

Prayer

The Lord is kind and merciful. Please instill and nurture in me kindness and forgiveness. Help me to welcome and embrace humankind with compassion as You, O Lord, do with each of us. Amen.

Barb Gaida
Worshipping Community

Scripture

First Reading: Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Psalm 103:1-4, 9-12
Gospel: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Daily Scripture readings can be found online at the USCCB website