 Today's Gospel Luke 15:1-3, 11-32 Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus but the Pharisees and Scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation. When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. | I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."' So he got up and went back to his father While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began. Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, 'Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.' He became angry, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, 'Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'" |
Reflection
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the prodigal son. The father required his sons to work for him. One rebelled externally and pursued his own interests; the other inwardly rebelled but obeyed his father. Neither of them were free. The two will only find true freedom and joy of heart in obeying the law willingly.
Real freedom frees us from our sinful preoccupations that harm us spiritually and bind us from pursing false pleasures that will lead us away from God. Freedom is not a state where you can do whatever you want. Rather freedom is the state when you are no longer plagued with sin because you know what you want and what is best for you. This is where God’s law and the Church’s teachings guide us. St. John Paul II says, “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." True freedom lies within our ability to chose what is right and just.
In this parable we are also reminded of the endless mercy of God. Luke 15:7 says, “There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents, than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance.” There is no mistake that we can make that God will not forgive. There is no place too far the we can go that God will not come and rescue us with His infinite love. Which son are you? Are you inwardly or outwardly rebelling against the Father’s law and the church? If so, what is keeping you from being truly free? Whatever it is, today, offer it up to Jesus and let Him help you move towards the true freedom of being a child of God.
In today’s Gospel we hear the story of the prodigal son. The father required his sons to work for him. One rebelled externally and pursued his own interests; the other inwardly rebelled but obeyed his father. Neither of them were free. The two will only find true freedom and joy of heart in obeying the law willingly.
Real freedom frees us from our sinful preoccupations that harm us spiritually and bind us from pursing false pleasures that will lead us away from God. Freedom is not a state where you can do whatever you want. Rather freedom is the state when you are no longer plagued with sin because you know what you want and what is best for you. This is where God’s law and the Church’s teachings guide us. St. John Paul II says, “Freedom consists not in doing what we like, but in having the right to do what we ought." True freedom lies within our ability to chose what is right and just.
In this parable we are also reminded of the endless mercy of God. Luke 15:7 says, “There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner that repents, than over ninety nine just persons who need no repentance.” There is no mistake that we can make that God will not forgive. There is no place too far the we can go that God will not come and rescue us with His infinite love. Which son are you? Are you inwardly or outwardly rebelling against the Father’s law and the church? If so, what is keeping you from being truly free? Whatever it is, today, offer it up to Jesus and let Him help you move towards the true freedom of being a child of God.
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