SATURDAY MARCH 2, 2024
SATURDAY OF THE SECOND WEEK OF LENT B
Micah 7:14-15, 18-20
Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.
THOUGH MERCIFUL, YET GOD NEEDS AND EXPECT OUR CONTRITE HEART
The scribes and the pharisees begrudged the mercy, forgiveness and companionship of Jesus with those labeled sinners. The envy of the Pharisees could not push them to see the God of mercy, and the initiative God takes to bring back his straying and strayed children. These sinners were already condemned and there seems to be no second chance for them. So the pharisees and Scribes seems to glory in the unrepentant stands of sinners.
Jesus in today’s gospel demonstrates the fact that God is ever ready, willing and accommodating to any sinner who turns back, confesses his or her sins and is willing to make atonement and be submissive to the authority of God. This welcoming hands of Jesus and his companionship with sinners drew the wrath and attention of the Pharisees and scribes to the effect that they discountenanced Jesus and his mission of saving souls.
To this, Jesus addressed this parable of the prodigal son, teaching them that God’s mercy abounds and is meted to all who really comes back repentant and broken in heart and God will definitely welcome such sinner and readmit him or her into his loving embrace.
The first reading also describes the mercy of God and God’s loving concern over his people. He is willing, ready and able to readmit, accommodate and forgive all sinners. He is God who removes sins and pardons guilt.
The character of the Pharisees, scribes and even the brother to the prodigal son suggests those who are envious of God’s mercy and compassion. We must never undermine God’s love, mercy and compassion. Rather we must always esteem and be appreciative of God’s love and mercy.
Like the prodigal son, having a contrite heart and making a leap of faith by returning to the Father and God of our life is key to repentance. We must make the first move, we must abandon our sinfulness and declare our intentions to come back, to follow and to work with God.
Our hearts must incline to God, seek his face, turn to him, make reparation and sincerely abhor our sinful past with the intentions also to amend our ways and follow the right course.
In doing this we complement God’s act of mercy and compassion. This is what the Lenten season calls us to undertake for this forty days.
God our Father, like the prodigal son, we come to you asking for your mercy, forgiveness and compassion on us, poor sinners. May this Lenten discipline draw us closer to you and make our lives pleasing to you. May your mercy and compassion follow us, and may we be cleansed of our sins and guilts through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Fr Norbert Uchuno
