Homilies

4th SUNDAY OF LENT: THE PARABLE OF THE LOVING FATHER

THE GOSPEL THIS SUNDAY tells us also the fact and meaning of our Lenten journey. It can be compared to a journey of the younger son. It is a journey which started with rebellion against the Father and ended with a return to the Father. Actually, the gospel passage has different names, depending on which person in the story we refer to. If our focus is on the elder son, then, it is a parable of a Complaining Son; if on the younger son, then it is a parable of a Prodigal Son. But if our focus is the father, who is the center of the parable, then, it is viewed as a parable of a Merciful, Loving Father.

Now, let us take some moments in the story for our further reflections.

First, let us begin our reflection on the two sons. The two sons are self-centered. Both demonstrated their desire for satisfying themselves. On the one hand, the younger son is a squanderer, a wastrel. He took what is rightfully his, and spent everything. Well, it tells us of ourselves, that is, our greed or tendency to be greedy. On the other, the elder son is a complainer. He had the reason to complain to his father. This attitude also tells us about ourselves, that is, our own envy, jealousy, and resentment.

Second, it is the younger son who underwent a real process of conversion. The virtues of humility and repentance are very much evident in him. As we have seen, the key to repentance is the humble admission of sin and guilt. At first blush, we find the younger son as more wicked that the elder son. But later, we can appreciate him for his sincere humility to admit that he has committed a sin. I think we all agree that the humble admission of sin is something difficult for us to do because of pride. In relationships, whether in friendship, sibling relationship or husband-wife relationship, this is usually the case. There are small problems which became worse because no one admits that he or she is sinning. Our tendency is to show and prove that we are that perfect. If ever there is a problem, most people often blame others for the problem or for the sin committed. Often, we encounter also this in the confessional box. Some penitents would rather talk more about others rather than themselves. They try to explain that the sin was committed because of others, and not by them. Well, this can be also valid, but, if it is meant to simply lessen the guilt by blaming others, then there is a problem here. In consequence, some priests would then tell them, “Are you confessing your own sin or the sin of others?” The point is to look for this good attitude of the younger son, that is, the humble admission of sin. We look for the capacity of the person to be humble.

Third, the father’s attitude is something that we look forward to in the process of conversion. Pope John Paul II describes the Father as “Dives in Misericordia” or Rich in Mercy. This is something that he wants us to experience. If the Father is very merciful, then, repentance or conversion should be part and parcel of our day to day life. Moreover, if the Father is lovingly merciful, then, the sacrament of reconciliation should be one of the most-loved sacraments for us. But it is not. In fact, most Catholics have misinterpreted the Church law regarding confession. The Church says that we go to confession “at least once a year.” Unfortunately, most of us understood the law that we go to confession “only once a year.” 

Perhaps, this parable is good opportunity for us to consider once again the love, forgiveness, and mercy of the Father. The younger son’s journey ended with a beautiful note. It was a sweet homecoming to the Father who prepared a banquet for his younger son. In the same way, let us look at our process of conversion in the context of that image. It is a coming home to the Father, it is an experience of being embraced with fatherly love.

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