The Second Saturday of Lent

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.’

After we commit a sin, we have a choice to make. We can either continue to sin without remorse or we can come to our senses and repent. If we choose the former, then we will starve our souls of their spiritual food and eventually die. However, if we see the error of our ways, then we will return to our Heavenly Father with humble and contrite hearts, admitting our faults and failings. How do we know this? Jesus tells us repeatedly of God’s Compassion and Mercy, which is constantly offered to us and will never run dry. As long as we are willing to admit our mistakes, God is ready to accept us back into His heavenly home with open arms. He will cloth us in holiness, give us gifts of His grace, place our feet on the right path, and feed us on virtues. God rejoices over every sinner who reconciles with Him and returns to the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

Have we come to our senses in regards to our sins, especially those we have the most difficulty with? Are we willing to set aside our lives of sin and return to our Heavenly Father? Will we allow the graces of God to be poured out upon us so that we can come to life again?

O Lord, we have sinned against you and no longer deserve to be called your heirs. Show compassion to us, your prodigal children.

Amen.