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Gospel Reading for March 30, 2025 – Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32
COMING BACK
Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” So to them Jesus addressed this parable: “A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, ‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’ So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’ So he got up and went back to his father.While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’ He said to him, ‘My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'”
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Who of those listening to Jesus’ parable went home happy? Of course, those who the Pharisees and scribes branded as sinners. Jesus did not say that the prodigal son was right in what he did, but Jesus focused more on his COMING BACK which was the time for great rejoicing. The tax collectors and sinners just learned that they have a chance to make amends; that all is not lost. GOD ALWAYS GIVES CHANCES. It is the very nature of LOVE.
On the other hand, the Pharisees and scribes rejoice when more and more people become sinners, because then, they prided themselves in being pure and sinless. After listening to Jesus, they would go home unhappy, because their very life depended on the existence of sinners.
The elder son was unhappy too that his brother came back. Why? Was it because he was able to prove his loyalty to his Father in comparison with what his brother did?
Thank you, Lord, for all the chances you give us each day to go back to you. Help us not stray from you because you are the Way, the Truth, and the Life!
Let us ponder on this hymn written by Gregory Norbet, HOSEA (Hosea 6:1, 3:3, 2:16,21; Joel 2:12) –
Come back to me with all your heart.
Don’t let fear keep us apart.
Trees do bend, ‘though straight and tall;
so must we to others’ call.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me
and living deeply our new life.
The wilderness will lead you
to your heart where I will speak.
Integrity and justice,
with tenderness, you shall know.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me
and living deeply our new life.
You shall sleep secure with peace;
faithfulness will be your joy.
Long have I waited for your coming home to me
and living deeply our new life.
