https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/030726.cfm
Home at Last
How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son in the parable, our sin—the act of turning away from all God provides for us, begins long before we step into the darkness of immediate pleasures and our own will. Something inside us stirs, leaving us with a sense of emptiness even while we are still at home in His grace.
Doing our daily chores and faithfully fulfilling our Father’s will, while striving to please Him in all things, can become routine because we love what gives us pleasure in the moment more than our good Heavenly Father. Our possessions become more important than our father, mother, brother, and significant others.
So, we venture out on our own, seeking that immediate gratification. With each passing gratification, we feel emptier and more unfulfilled, until we remember how good it was back home with our Dad.
That memory is the turning point, the beginning of the long journey back to our Father. With every step, we grow more sorrowful and regretful for hurting Him. Observe how our focus shifts from ourselves to our Heavenly Father.
Many take a long time before approaching the Lord in the Sacrament of His Mercy. Focusing on ourselves only produces guilt. No matter how hard we try, we can’t run or hide from it.
When we change our focus from ourselves to the Lord, he fills our hearts with a deep sorrow. Our relationship with God comes to life again; Then, we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of Reconciliation. We have a renewed love, even for our brother.
Gospel Challenge:
What a beautiful gift that sorrow is. That’s what Jesus feels for us until he absolves us from our sins. Then comes the open arms. Then comes the fatted calf, the ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet. These are all expressions of our Father’s joy that His child has come home, a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Some people think that they can receive forgiveness from God without Confession. Remember, forgiveness is about relationships. Only the pains and suffering of Jesus’ Passion can absolve sin. No one but Jesus, in the priest, can absolve sin. In Confession, we stand under the Cross of Jesus, and a drop of his Precious Blood washes our souls clean.
Let’s all eagerly hurry to the Sacrament of Mercy, for it is there that we find the balm for our wounded souls, the forgiveness that sets us free. Let’s all look forward to the Sacrament of Mercy with hope and anticipation.
Please see the bulletin for the times it is offered as Easter draws near.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
