Word to the Wise
Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 4th Sunday of Lent - C
[Josh 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Cor 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32]So we are ambassadors for Christ, as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. [2 Corinthians] "'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]
The parable of the Prodigal Son also appeared in the daily scriptures for Lent on the second Saturday, which, in this year, was March 22nd! I reflected on that parable then. Fr. Ronald Rolheiser, OMI, in his very fine book, THE HOLY LONGING, points out that at various times we can find ourselves in the different principal characters in that parable: the younger son, the older son, or the forgiving father. St. Paul, in the second scripture for this Sunday, focuses our attention on the role of the forgiving father. We are exhorted to be "ambassadors for Christ as if God were appealing through us." It seems to me that the father in the parable gives us an example of that in the way he deals with the older brother who refuses to join the rejoicing at the return of the younger brother.
The older brother is angry with both the younger son (for returning and complicating matters or threatening his inheritance?) and with the forgiving father for celebrating the return. The forgiving father is focused on reconciliation, not on possessions. Echoes of the older brother have appeared in the reaction of some people to Pope Francis' open attitude toward those who are considered "sinners" - divorced and remarried Catholics, LGBTQ+ Catholics, etc.. The focus of the forgiving father is on love and reconciliation and not on judgment and condemnation. What kind of appeal are we making "on behalf of Christ?" When we experience God's mercy, forgiveness, and "welcome back" in the Sacrament of Reconciliation, do we share those same benefits with others? [cf. Matt. 18:21-35, the parable of the unforgiving servant.]A In the Sacrament of Reconciliation, when I hear someone say it has been a long time since they "went to confession" (sometimes years), the first thing I say is "Welcome back!" Being an "ambassador for Christ" can be a tough assignment when one is dealing with folks convinced of their own righteousness and condemning others who long to return. Our baptism appoints us to be "ambassadors for Christ!" What will our performance review look like? AMEN