Jos 5:9a, 10-12
Ps 34:2-3, 4-5, 6-7.
2 Cor 5:17-21
Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 Full Readings or Readings for the Second Scrutiny
Coming Back to Our Senses
Brethren, the fourth Sunday of Lent is traditionally called Laetare Sunday. It is called so following the first word of the opening antiphon: "Rejoice, Jerusalem and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were mourning, exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast." Laetare means Rejoice and therefore this Sunday is a Sunday of joy. It marks the half of the Lenten season (though strictly speaking, it is on Thursday of the third Sunday of Lent) and Easter is enticingly near. The vestments worn by the celebrant are rose-colored, not violet. This Sunday is also important because it is the day of the second scrutiny in preparation for the baptism of adults at the Easter Vigil. Laetare Sunday is paralleled to Gaudete Sunday.
The joy of this Sunday is a symbol of life, amidst all sadness in life, there is always some joy. More still the joy of this Sunday is an anticipation of the joy we shall have at the receiving of the light of Christ at Easter. Our invitation is not give up on our Lenten preparations and also to fasten the belts, to do more of what Lenten period requires us if we have not been doing them and prepare thoroughly for the light of Christ at Easter, so that we shall no longer walk in darkness but only in the light of Christ.
To prepare us fully for this joy, today's readings call us to come back to our senses; to come back to our senses and, as seen in first reading, leave Egypt and cross to the promised land (Exodus and new life in God), to come back to our senses and leave our old ways of life and sin, come back to God and behold new life in Jesus Christ, to come back to our senses, and repent, pray, reconcile with others instead of anger and resentment, give alms instead of selfishness, speak and wish well to people instead of envy and jealous, do justice to everyone instead of injustice, promote peace rather than violence, love instead of hate and practice virtues instead of vices. It is only with these that we will be able to behold the joy that comes with Easter and the light that Christ brings.
Jesus reinforces this teaching by telling the parable of the Prodigal Son of Forgiving Father in response to the Pharisees’ condemnation of him welcoming sinners. So what is the message for these men? The older brother represents the Pharisees. They were indeed righteous, observing all of the Father’s commands (“all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders”). When they saw Jesus eating and welcoming sinners, they acted like the older brother; they became angry, jealous, and accusatory. By acting that way, they put themselves in a type of exile, refusing to come into the Father’s house. The father in the parable pleaded with the older son to return from exile, to be charitable and merciful and welcome his brother home. The younger brother did not deserve grace, but that is what is so beautiful about grace: none of us deserve it. God extends his grace to all of us. We are each called to accept this grace for ourselves and share it with others. We can ask ourselves if there are certain people we cannot forgive or toward whom we have trouble extending grace.
In this parable Jesus gives a vivid picture of God and what God is like. God is truly kinder than any of us. He does not lose hope or give up when we stray from him. He is always on the lookout for those who have a change of heart and want to return. He rejoices in finding the lost and in welcoming them home. We are quite sure that when we come back to our senses just as the younger son did, and return to God, he will welcome us back and especially in this season of lent. The sacrament of reconciliation is there as the tool to aid us to come back to God. Are we making use of it?
Reflect today on how you have strayed away from God, or even our fellow brethren. Are you ready to come back to your senses and come back to ask for forgiveness? When we come back to our senses, we not only realise our worth not to die in our sins but also very sure that our loving Father will forgive us. The Father in Heaven will never reject us. No matter what we have done or how far we have turned away, the Father’s love is perfect, relentless, unconditional and always inviting. He is ready and willing to dismiss every wrong we have done if we only turn to Him in confidence. Come to your senses in regard to your sins! Let go of them, repent and trust in the mercy of God.
Let us Pray
Lord, I want to always come back to my senses when I have estranged myself from you. May your Holy Spirit always induce me this desire and more especially during this lent.
Blessed Sunday
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