“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.“

Luke 15: 31-32

Here are the complete readings for Saturday, March 22, 2025

(“The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Rembrandt Van Rijn)

This parable is so rich in symbolism. A young person loses his innocence and encounters corruption and isolation through his bad choices. However, he does not realize how far he has fallen into he finds himself literally covered in mud and feces, taking care of the pigs who, in the Jewish tradition, are considered unclean animals. When he comes home his father’s embrace of forgiveness transforms the young person back into his true form, with the father using the language of death and resurrection for emphasis on the son returning to his graced self. This is a timeless reminder about the radically forgiving nature of God, and the power of repentance for human beings. Still, part of me doesn’t think Jesus was trying to get his audience to identify primarily with either the father or the lost son. I believe the words in the parable challenge us to put ourselves in the place of the older son, who cannot be faulted at his disbelief at what has unfolded. But when he turns away from his father and brother, that is where the trouble starts. The older brother fails to realize that this moment has nothing to do with him, and that he has nothing to fear. He is connected and loved, and the worst thing he can do is to sever that connection with self-righteous anger. During this Lent, let us consider our moments when we are tempted to let disappointment and frustration become something else that closes the door on our relationships and encounters.

It is through your life of gospel witness
lived in community with others
that God desires to manifest
care and compassionate love
to those who are separated and estranged,
not only from their neighbors,
but also from their own uniqueness;
to those who suffer
from want, neglect, and injustice:
the poor, the weak, and the oppressed
of this world.
They too are called
to experience,
express,
and share
the love of God with the world
through their own giftedness. – The Fundamental Principles of the Xaverian Brothers

God, sometimes I find it easier to be upset with others than to be happy for them. When this happens, awaken my mind and heart to what is really troubling me. Give me the prudence to reflect on my encounters each day and to see my challenges and blessings for what they really are, not for what I think they should be. I am grateful for the awkward moments and disappointments in life along with my earthly triumphs, for no matter what happens, you invite me to return to my authentic self, whom you have created as good.

Amen