4th Sunday of Lent (Cycle C, Year II)
Community Word: The mercy and compassion of Christ calls us to live a life of holiness.
Theme: We live a life of holiness when we repent of our wrongdoings and are reconciled with God and with one another.
Promise: “You are here with me always, everything I have is yours. ”(Lk 15:31)
Reflection:
As we are more than halfway through Lent, our readings give us something that we can rejoice over. In the 1st reading, after 40 long years, the Israelites finally make it into the Promised Land. The responsorial Psalm challenges us to taste and see the goodness of the Lord. In St. Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, we are reminded that we are a new creation in Christ, and that this should lead us to rejoice. And in the Gospel, we see how a loving father throws a joy-filled welcome party for his prodigal son.
In the book of Joshua, we see the Israelites enter into the Promised Land. No longer will they be eating the manna that God provided during their desert experience, but will now rejoice as they transition from their repentant pilgrimage to the place God has given them – a land flowing with milk and honey.The Psalm echoes the feelings of the Israelites. God has heard their cry and has taken action. The hard and difficult times are now behind them. “I sought the Lord, and He answered me and delivered me from all my fears.” (Ps 34: 5) They can rejoice and at the same time, bless the Lord for all that He has done.
In the second reading, St. Paul declares God’s reconciling love for all, “And all this is from God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Christ…” (2 Cor 5: 18). Since God has made things new and different, we now have a renewed and improved relationship with Him which requires us to live our gift of faith. And this we can do by turning away from the sinfulness of our former lives, and living out God’s love.
A beautiful story unfolds in the Gospel when the prodigal son comes to a realization of his waywardness. Not only does his loving father forgive him, but truly rejoices over his return. “….this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found,” (Lk 15: 24).
In our faith journey as Christian disciples, we are called to always be joyful in the Lord. It is inevitable that we should undergo much trial and difficulty, but however long these trials may take, we should remain steadfast in hope and joy. This sense of delight should be both personal and communal. Our personal joy should be part of our experience with God’s love. It should also come from knowing that God has not only given us the gift of life on earth, but also a share in everlasting life. He is not only willing to restore us to an even more exalted position, but will welcome us with an even larger celebration than the one in the Gospel reading.
Our rejoicing should also be communal in that, unlike the elder brother who resented the father’s welcome for his prodigal younger brother, we should find joy whenever one of our brothers in the Lord returns and seeks to be reconciled with God. We should not be jealous even when we see ourselves, like the older brother, to have been more faithful and obedient than the wayward brother. We are called to celebrate the reunion of one who repents with our ever loving God. That is why, the Theme for the week aptly says: We live a life of holiness when we repent of our wrongdoings and are reconciled with God and with one another.
Lastly, like St. Paul who is an ambassador for God, we are to share this joy with others and be living examples of joy to others. Who knows, if we may be the only person who can reach out and touch the life of a particular person, that he too may experience the joy that God is offering him. Others should sense in us the delight in following God, which likewise allows us to experience a deep sense of joy as we proclaim the Good News.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for inviting us to always be reconciled with you. We are truly sorry for the times we squandered the gifts you have given us. Help us to be genuinely repentant, and to amend our ways in response to Your call for us to live a life of holiness. Thank you that you always rejoice when we come back to you.
Reflection Questions:
1. Have I truly helped a brother or sister in reconciling with God? Has it given me a reason to rejoice?
2. How can I be a better ambassador of reconciliation at home, at work and within the community?
This Week’s Daily Mass Reading Guide:
March 6, 2016 (Sun) Jos 5:9,10-12/ Ps 34:2-7/ 2Cor 5:17-21/ Lk 15:1-3,11-32
March 7, 2016 (Mon) Is 65:17-21/Ps 30:2,4,5-6,11-12,13/Jn 4:43-54
March 8, 2016 (Tue) Ez 47:1-9,12/Ps 46:2-3,5-6,8-9/Jn 5:1-16
March 9, 2016 (Wed) Is 49:8-15/Ps 145:9,13-14,17-18/Jn 5:17-30
March 10, 2016 (Thu) Ex 32:7-14/Ps 106:19-20,21-22,23/Jn 5:31-47
March 11, 2016 (Fri) Wis 2:1,12-22/Ps 34:17-18,19-20,21,23/Jn 7:1-2,10,25-30
March 12, 2016 (Sat) Jer 11:18-20/Ps 7:2-3,9-10,11-12/Jn 7:-40-53
“Ignorance of the Bible is ignorance of Christ. Read your Bible daily!”
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