Every day of Lent, Bishop Edward Malesic writes a Scripture reflection for the faithful. Follow the bishop on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Click HERE for the readings.
One of the most famous—and most powerful—parables of redemption is the story of the Prodigal Son. In it, a young man asks his father for his inheritance before his father has died. In effect, he is saying to his dad, “I wish you were dead.” He walks away from his family, his faith, and his home, and wanders off to live what Scripture calls a “life of dissipation.”
Eventually, hunger sets in. His life collapses. He reaches rock bottom. And it is there that the Gospel tells us he comes to his senses. He decides to return home, rehearsing the apology he plans to offer to his father.
While the son is still a long way off, the father sees him. He has been waiting all along. The father runs to his son, embraces him, and welcomes him home. The son begins his carefully prepared confession, but the father will not let him finish. Instead, he calls for a celebration.
This is what happens every time we go to confession. We come to our senses. We turn back to the Father. We admit our sins and ask for mercy. Yet even as we are praying our act of contrition, God is already celebrating our return. When the priest speaks the words of absolution, the weight of shame is lifted, and we are restored to life.
Then, like the prodigal son, we are ready to take our place at the table once again—to celebrate the Eucharist with joy, gratitude, and peace.
So, we should ask ourselves:
When have I been lost, only to be found again?