I think we’re all familiar with the Parable of the Prodigal Son. It is such a powerful story and especially important during the lenten season. Even though we call this the Parable of the Prodigal Son, it is important to remember that the scriptures do not actually use a title. This is a story about a son who took his inheritance and squandered it, but it also the story about a son who followed all the rules and did what he was supposed to do but was filled with bitterness. This is also a story about a father who has an invincible love for his two sons.
Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Leprosy is used in the scriptures to help us understand the reality of sin. As obvious as leprosy is on the outside – causing the skin to have sores and take on the pallor of death – so real is the hidden sin within our soul. When we sin, even though we can’t see it or feel it, our soul develops wounds and becomes as though it were dead. What does it mean for our soul to have wounds? We understand physical wounds because they are usually discolored and cause pain. What is a soul-wound? What does it mean to be wounded in one’s soul?
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time
Today’s readings present one of the major challenges of our life of faith. It is the challenge to continue to listen to God’s Word, to what He is saying. God’s Word is sometimes full of sweetness, and sometimes it produces bitterness and leaves a bad taste in our mouths and in our souls. God has a wonderful message to present to us about love, salvation, and friendship with Him, and He has also has a difficult message about the obstacles that can exist to that friendship. We hear three messages of caution today and are invited to pay attention to how we listen to and receive God’s Word – what He is saying to us.