This weekend is my favorite Gospel parable, the Story of the Prodigal Son. Sometimes it is called the Story of the Prodigal Sons. But still, this is a great parable about the Mercy of God. It seems fitting that in the Year of Mercy we are reading from Cycle C of the Lectionary and we come to this parable. So much has been written on this parable, but every time I read it the Lord shows me something different. This parable has infinitely more possibilities about what it can show me. Why? Because it is God’s Word that is teaching and showing me the way. So Mercy is what we are celebrating.
Now in the parable which son are we? Are we the older son who doesn’t realize what he has, or are we the younger son who has used our gifts to do bad things? Maybe we, at this time, feel like one of the servants in the parable, or maybe we are like the loving and forgiving Father who welcomes home his sinful son. This is an important Gospel and should be one that we return to throughout this year of Mercy. Don’t rush through it, but take the time to pray with it. Maybe this is the week that we finally take 15 minutes to pray with the Gospel reading. Time spent with God is never wasted.
Tuesday, March 8th, is Clergy Study day in Duluth, and because of this, there will be no Mass at STM on this day. Please pray for our clergy day. Pray that we priests and deacons can become holier. Pray that we may do the will of God with great love. Thanks, I so appreciate your prayers! May God bless you all too!
Fr. Thomas P. Galarneault