Can We Be Like the Prodigal Son?

From Karen Schmidt Sculptures

Searching for Meaning and Forgiveness

This Fourth Sunday of Lent is also the Second Sunday of the Scrutinies for those preparing to receive the Sacrament of Baptism at the Easter Vigil. We, therefore, acknowledge that you may hear one of two Gospel readings: the one from Year A which is used for RCIA preparation and tells the story of the man born blind, or the one from the current Year C, the story of the prodigal son.

The two Gospels do have some commonalities; in both we see the movement from darkness to light, whether it be the darkness of physical blindness or that of spiritual blindness…in the young man who did not understand the love of his father. In both, we find a certain searching—the searching for physical sight in the case of the man born blind, and the searching for meaning and forgiveness in the case of the prodigal son.

For this reflection, let us ponder how we are like the young man who needed to see clearly and to understand the love of his father. The parable tells us that the young man initially measured love by the “share of the estate” that he felt was due to him.  Young, immature, and reckless, we know he squandered the bounty that had been given to him.  We may shake our heads in dismay and say, “How silly! He should have known better!”

Let us consider though how we do the same…how do we squander the good things our loving God has given us? How do we treat the gifts of creation, the gifts of grace, our talents, our treasure? Everything has come to us by the gracious goodness of our God! How do we use what we have received?

God calls us to think about this…and to reflect on the ways we are like the prodigal son…but also how we are like him when he “comes to his senses” and returns to his loving, his forgiving Father. Do we understand the depth of the Father’s love for us?  I am reminded of Rembrandt’s painting entitled “The Return of the Prodigal Son,” which you can view online at the State Hermitage Museum.

You may wish to spend some time reflecting on these questions as you consider this great work of art and then continue reading.

Coming Home

Like the son, we too need to see the truth of our relationship, we need to “come home” to the reality of God’s loving care….Like the father holding his son, God holds us close to his heart.

There are many times in our lives when we need to feel the warmth of God’s loving embrace and picture the arms of our loving Father holding us…

when we feel lonely and afraid…

when we need to make a difficult decision…

when we are ill or despondent…

when we experience failure or disappointments…

when we have made mistakes and have hurt someone we love…

when we have turned away, run away from the God or the people who love us the most…

when we feel the effects of our aging or personal limitations…

St. Francis de Sales reminds us that our God is with us in times when we feel weak and afraid:

Do not look forward in fear

to the changes in life;

rather, look to them with full hope

that, as they arise,

God, whose very own you are,

will lead you safely through all things;

and when you cannot stand it,

God will carry you in His arms.

Do not fear what may happen tomorrow;

the same understanding Father

who cares for you today

will take care of you then and every day.

He will either shield you from suffering

or will give you unfailing strength to bear it.

Be at peace,

and put aside

all anxious thoughts and imaginations.

Let us therefore be assured that, like the prodigal son, we will always be welcomed into the loving and forgiving arms of our Father.

Blessings,

Sr. Marie Paul