Good morning good people!
May the Lord give you peace, health and happiness in the Holy Spirit on this Sunday of Rejoice. It is 30th March 2025. We reflect on Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; and Luke 15:1-3, 11-32.
Pope Francis encourages us to return to the Father telling, “God waits. He never tires of waiting for us. When we turn away, He comes looking for us. When we fall, He lifts us up. When we return to Him, He welcomes us like a loving father.”
We gather today on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, known as Laetare Sunday—the Sunday of rejoicing. Why do we rejoice? Because God rejoices when His people return to Him. Our merciful Father goes out of His way to forgive and embrace us, desiring nothing more than our reconciliation with Him. As we near Holy Week, just one more step brings us closer to celebrating Easter, the pinnacle of our Christian faith.
The three readings of today are profoundly meaningful, giving us a deeper understanding of our faith. They challenge us to reflect on why we believe in Jesus Christ and what it means to be part of God’s family.
The First Reading: A Dream Fulfilled
In the first reading, we see God’s promise to the people of Israel finally being fulfilled. After wandering in the desert for forty years, they reach the land flowing with milk and honey. The time of miraculous sustenance in the wilderness has ended; now, they must work and enjoy the fruits of the Promised Land.
God had tested and purified them through the desert journey. The physical distance between Egypt and the Promised Land was short, yet their lack of faith extended their journey to forty years. But now, as they reach Gilgal, on the banks of the Jordan near Jericho, they witness the abundant harvest—a sign that God is faithful to His promises.
For us, the Promised Land represents Heaven, where God will gather all His faithful children. One day, we will rejoice together in eternal peace, marvelling at how God’s mercy has brought us home.
The Second Reading: A New Creation in Christ
St. Paul reminds us in the second reading that in Jesus Christ, we are made new. The old self, burdened by sin, is gone, and a new life in Christ has begun. We are called to be ambassadors of reconciliation, not just by preaching forgiveness but by taking the first step towards those who have hurt us.
Paul challenges us: Instead of waiting for others to apologize, can we humble ourselves and initiate reconciliation? Can we be the first to extend peace to those who are proud or arrogant? This is the true meaning of being a disciple of Christ.
The Gospel: The Parable of the Prodigal Son
The Gospel today presents one of the most beautiful and shortest stories ever told—the Parable of the Prodigal Son. We find three key characters:
- The repentant son who squanders his inheritance and returns in humility.
- The prodigal father who lavishes love and forgiveness on his lost child.
- The self-righteous elder brother who refuses to celebrate his brother’s return.
Each of us plays these roles at different times in our lives. Sometimes, we are the prodigal son, lost in sin but longing to return. At other times, we are like the father, called to forgive without conditions. And sadly, there are moments when we behave like the elder brother, holding grudges and questioning God’s mercy.
A Lesson from the Two Wolves
There is a story of a young boy who came to his grandfather and said, “Grandpa, inside me, there are two wolves. One is kind, loving, and forgiving. The other is angry, bitter, and vengeful. These two wolves fight every day. Which one will win?”
The grandfather replied, “The one you feed the most.”
This Lent, which wolf are we feeding? Are we nourishing our hearts with love, kindness, and forgiveness, or are we allowing anger and resentment to consume us?
God’s Unconditional Love
The greatest lesson from today’s Gospel is the unimaginable love of the Father. He does what no earthly parent would do—giving away his entire inheritance and still welcoming his lost son with open arms.
Imagine if your son or daughter disobeyed you, left home, lived in disgrace, and returned one day. Would you immediately embrace them with joy? This is exactly what our Heavenly Father does. He does not dwell on our past sins but celebrates our return.
Rejoice, for God is Waiting!
As we stand at the door of this church on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, we must realize that we, too, are like the prodigal son. God has been watching and waiting for us, ready to embrace us with love and mercy. He does not keep a record of our wrongs; He simply wants us to come home.
Let us make the Father’s heart rejoice today. Even if we reconcile with just one person this Lent, it is a victory for the Kingdom of God.
So, dear brothers and sisters, let us return to our loving Father. Let us repent, seek forgiveness, and rejoice with Him, for He has been waiting for this moment. May the Lord grant us the courage to return to Him repented. Have a lovely day.