SATURDAY 2ND WEEK
Jess Boegner C ‘14

Seeking a Relationship with the Father

“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.” Luke 15: 20

This Gospel begins with the Pharisees criticizing Jesus for ministering to sinners and tax collectors. Jesus decides to show them that a relationship with God the Father is something for which we were all made. The prodigal son hurts his father by asking for his inheritance and leaving the family to waste his money on worldly things, but his father was always watching and hoping that he would return. It says in the gospel that, “while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him” and ran to meet him. The prodigal son not only desired to have a relationship with his father again, but the father also desired to have a relationship with his son. Just as God the Father desires to have a relationship with His children, no matter what they may have done to hurt Him. Jesus is showing the Pharisees that the sinners and the tax collectors are like the prodigal son. They are still loved despite what they have done in the past. At the end of the parable, the father gives the older son the opportunity to accept the prodigal son back into the family. Jesus is giving the Pharisees that same opportunity to accept the sinners and the tax collectors as their brothers and sisters. We are all made for a relationship with God. This Lent, no matter how far you feel you have strayed from God the Father or how close you think you may be, strive to start a relationship, or go even deeper. It will bring you peace, just like it brought the prodigal son peace.

Loving God, you are always searching to have a relationship with us. Help us this Lent to grow closer to you and to your love. Amen.

Mi 7: 14-15, 18-20, Ps 103: 1-4, 9-12, Lk 15: 1-3, 11-32