By the beautiful parable in Luke 15:1-32, our Blessed Lord teaches us how willing Almighty God is to receive the penitent sinner, and how rejoiced He is at his return. Our Lord describes the falling away of a sinner from God; the return of the sinner to God; and God’s reception of the penitent sinner. The father in the parable signifies God; the elder son, the just; and the younger son, the sinner.
We begin to fall away from God by allowing unlawful desires to take possession of ours hearts. In consequence, we will soon come to regard God’s commandments as so many fetters, and to long for greater license for irresponsible religious freedom. We lose all taste for prayer and the word of God, and imagine that we would be happier individuals if we could live according to our passions as the world so deeply crave. Having thus separated ourselves inwardly from God, an outward separation speedily follows. We renounce the friendship of good people, neglect the services of the Church and the frequenting of the Sacraments, follow our own way, and shamelessly transgress God’s commandments. We then go into a strange and distant land, namely further and further from God.
The prodigal son lost a great deal, but he did not lose faith in his father’s mercy, and therefore did not despair. Thus, we sinners must fan the flame of our faith in God’s mercy, and the hope of forgiveness; and this faith and hope will move us to form resolutions of amendment. “I will arise and go to my father,” was the resolution made by the prodigal. This resolution was a sincere one, for he determined to return home and thus avoid sin and the occasions of sin; to humble himself, confess his sin, and obey his father; and to do penance by hard, servile work and self-abasement. His contrition was real, interior and supernatural; therefore, he hastened to cast himself humbly at his father’s feet, confess his sin, and implore his pardon. The confession of sins is the obvious and necessary expression of contrition, and is the indispensable condition of forgiveness.
You too have offended God, though perhaps not so grievously as did the sinner in the parable; and God has forgiven you your sins in the holy Sacrament of Penance. Have you thanked Him for this? You ought to make a devout thanksgiving each time you have been to confession. Do not repay the love of your God with fresh ingratitude. DON’T!
Bible Passages for Daily Reflection
To be equipped for God’s work, we must study His word (Cf. 2 Timothy 3:16-17), reflect on it daily and live. Ensure you share the fruits of your meditation with at least two people.
Sunday: Philippians 2:1-30
Monday: Philippians 3:1-21
Tuesday: Philippians 4:1-23
Wednesday: Colossians 1:1-29
Thursday: Colossians 2:1-23
Friday: Colossians 3:1-25
Saturday: Colossians 4:1-18
Psalm of the Week: Psalm 127
Prayer:
Never let us sinfully desert you Lord because without your presence, we labour in vain on earth. Amen!
