(Ex 32:7-11, 13-14; 1 Tim 12-17; Lk 15:1-32)
The ugliness sin and the beauty of God's forgiveness are revealed in the readings of today. The first reading tells us how Moses pleaded for the Israelites before God and saved their lives. St Paul described the unmerited grace given him. He explains that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. In the Gospel Jesus tells three stories to show that God wants the conversion of the sinner and awaits it. The parable of the Prodigal son exposes the role of the individual, God’s mercy and those who feel they are righteous.
The ugliness sin and the beauty of God's forgiveness are revealed in the readings of today. The first reading tells us how Moses pleaded for the Israelites before God and saved their lives. St Paul described the unmerited grace given him. He explains that Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners. In the Gospel Jesus tells three stories to show that God wants the conversion of the sinner and awaits it. The parable of the Prodigal son exposes the role of the individual, God’s mercy and those who feel they are righteous.
The Choice in Selfishness Selfishness is the fertile ground in which sin grows. “Everyone is put to the test being attracted and seduced by the person's own wrong desire. Then the desire conceives and gives birth to sin, and when sin reaches full growth, it gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15). The choices we make can either bring us closer or away from the domain of grace, the presence of God. Thus, the young man chose to leave his father's house with his own share of property. This choice was a rebellion against everything his Father stands for, and so is every act of sin—rebellion!
Surprisingly and regrettably, he discovered that he could not manage himself. So “he squandered his property in lose living.” We always need Our Father to direct our lives. Now the boy sought for fake fathers to cater for him by going to the fields to feed swine. That is how we run around sometimes looking for satisfaction in emptiness after falling short of grace. His situation got worse. This is equally what happens to those refuse to go to confession because they felt they would fall again.
The Choice in Grace
“But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!”’ Self-examination is key to conversion. It gives room for grace to inspire and impale us to repent. The grace of his father's generosity is active in pulling him back. Relying on this extravagant mercy, he made the radical choice, “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you...”’ The journey back home is made on the two steps of one's personal choice and the other step of grace.
“But when he came to himself he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger!”’ Self-examination is key to conversion. It gives room for grace to inspire and impale us to repent. The grace of his father's generosity is active in pulling him back. Relying on this extravagant mercy, he made the radical choice, “I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you...”’ The journey back home is made on the two steps of one's personal choice and the other step of grace.
The Unmerited Grace
“But while he was yet at a distance, his Father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Oh what a compassionate Father! He awaited the boy's return; He knew his prodigal son would return, having tasted his generosity, which does not exist anywhere else. The father offered his compassion and forgiveness freely and unconditionally—unmerited Grace! The boy's dignity and sonship was restored. And they began to celebrate. There is joy in coming back home.
“But while he was yet at a distance, his Father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Oh what a compassionate Father! He awaited the boy's return; He knew his prodigal son would return, having tasted his generosity, which does not exist anywhere else. The father offered his compassion and forgiveness freely and unconditionally—unmerited Grace! The boy's dignity and sonship was restored. And they began to celebrate. There is joy in coming back home.
The Celebration
The elder son, who had been faithful to his Father would not take this. He thought that the Father's generosity to the Prodigal son took away the answers to his prayers. This is where one is prayerful and faithful but the answers he wished for are in the hands of the ungodly! He might begin to feel disillusioned. “But he was angry and refused to go in.” Now he sentenced his brother. Sometimes people who are faithful secretly harbour jealousy and easily pass judgement. This happens when one so much get used to enjoying God's presence that he forgot it’s the work of grace, not by his power.
The elder son, who had been faithful to his Father would not take this. He thought that the Father's generosity to the Prodigal son took away the answers to his prayers. This is where one is prayerful and faithful but the answers he wished for are in the hands of the ungodly! He might begin to feel disillusioned. “But he was angry and refused to go in.” Now he sentenced his brother. Sometimes people who are faithful secretly harbour jealousy and easily pass judgement. This happens when one so much get used to enjoying God's presence that he forgot it’s the work of grace, not by his power.
Still the Father came out and entreated him, and revealed to him a secret he did not know. “Son you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours.” Imagine that, he was working hard and set his heart on mere fatted calf as reward. But the generous man revealed that he himself is the reward. Nothing SATISFIES than being with Our Father. Whatever gives pleasure to the Father will eventual increase the joy of the faithful. Being with Him is enough celebrations. Therefore, “It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he a was lost, and is found.”
Fr Jude Chinwenwa Nwachukwu, C.Ss.R
Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 15th, 2019.
Ss Peter and Paul Catholic Church
Tedi-Muwo, Lagos.
Sunday September 15th, 2019.
