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In today's gospel when the
younger son found himself isolated and starving, he recognized his true
condition. Only "at the end of his rope" did he understand that he had
sinned against God and his own father. It was only then that the younger
son experienced the need for forgiveness. Much to his surprise, he could
barely recite his well-practiced plea for forgiveness when his father
instructed the servants to welcome him as a lost heir.
The older, stay-at-home son
never quite achieved this experience of reconciliation with his father.
He had always been there. He did not recognize his own anger and
resentment toward his father and his brother. He did not see that he had
taken the father's love for granted. Because he did not feel any need
for forgiveness, he did not repent. We do not hear how the story ends.
Jesus' last words leave us outside of the party with the loving father
and the unrepentant older son. What a symbol of God's kingdom!
The eternal celebration has
begun and God is outside the party begging you to come in but your
feelings have been offended and you refuse to enter. Now do you see why
even good people need this time of Lent to examine our relationship with
each other and with the Father?
How are you doing with your Lenten season so far?
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