Word to the Wise
Saturday, March 6, 2021 - 2nd Week of Lent - Sat
[Mic 7:14-15, 18-20 and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32]"My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found!" [Luke]
When preaching from the parable of the Prodigal Son - our gospel scripture for today - I like to begin with having the congregation sing the last lines of AMAZING GRACE with me: I once was lost, but now am found. Was blind but now I see! (Feel free to hum it as you read!) The noted spiritual writer, Fr. Ron Rolheiser OMI, in his book THE HOLY LONGING, reminds us that at different points in our lives we may be like either of the two brothers. We may be young and rebellious or old and judgmental! Perhaps we may be in the position of the father who has to show compassion to both sons! Are we just one of the villagers with mixed feelings about the situation, but glad to enjoy the celebration. Seeing that family might make us think of our own and our behavior?
A realistic and honest self-appraisal can lead us to the conclusion that we are telling the truth when we sing those last lines of AMAZING GRACE. Both brothers were lost and found. So are we. AMEN