(Homily for March 18, 2017).
Within each of us, there lies a prodigal son, a spirit of
rebellion that often makes to seek independence from the control of any
authority figure in our lives.
Just as the prodigal son wanted freedom, we struggle each day
with God’s commandments because we desire that kind of freedom; we like to
define our own rules of what right and wrong ourselves – basically, we desire
to be gods.
The temptation Eve faced in the Garden of Eden is a temptation
humanity as a whole faces, a temptation to taste the very things God wants us to
avoid. This was the same temptation of the prodigal son. He believed that there
was some happiness out there away from his father’s house rules.
At the end of the day, the prodigal son ended up in regret. When
he taught he had gained freedom, was actually walking into a life of slavery;
slavery to his emotions, slavery to lust, slavery to wine, slavery to
licentiousness (anything goes).
Each time we rebel against God by breaking his commandments, we
end up becoming slaves. For the prodigal son to desire the pods which the pigs
were being fed shows how low we reduce ourselves when we become slaves to sinful
addictions.
The Good news is that God being a prodigal father is always
ready to take us back. God does not take delight in the death of the wicked
man, but in his repentance. As the prophet Micah says in our first reading
today, “He does not retain his anger forever because he delights in mercy. He
will again have compassion upon us, he will tread our iniquities under foot.”
Today is another day. Have you decided to seek the happiness
that comes from obeying God’s commandments? Or are you still hoping there could
be happiness out there, in the world of sin and disobedience? How do you plan
to spend this weekend?
Let us Pray: Lord Jesus, help me not to repeat the mistake of the
prodigal son. Amen.
Be Happy.
Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. God bless you. (Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent.
Bible Study: Micah 7:14-20 and Luke 15:1-32).
Fr. Abu.
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