A Few Words On "The Word"

March 18, 2007
4th Sunday in Lent, Year C

Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Prodigal Growth

You've probably heard the saying, "It's not about whether you win or lose but how you play the game." We're often told this when we're little and we've just lost some type of competition. We probably don't agree with this statement at the time but it definitely has a valid point. Playing the game or taking part in the competition is like going on a journey, it teaches us a lot about who we are and how we play the game.

You may not realize it but you are on several different journeys right now. Playing sports, getting an education, taking music lessons, and simply making it through each day are a few examples of journeys we all take. Some journeys are shorter than others but nonetheless each journey involves a goal and more importantly, a process toward growth. Obviously, our faith journey should be the most important undertaking in our lives. Seeking God is a lifelong journey encapsulating all the other journeys we might take.

I'm sure you've heard the story in today's gospel before; it's one of Jesus' most famous parables. In case you're memory is a little rusty here's a recap. A man has two sons. The younger son requests his share of the inheritance and receives it from his father. Excited about his new-found wealth, the son embarks upon a journey during which he spends all his money.

Finding himself utterly broke, he ends up working with pigs, the absolute worst job a Jew can have. Realizing that even his father's own workers had it better, he decides to return home and beg his father for a job. However, when he arrives at home his father greets him with joy and welcomes him not as a hired worker but as a son and throws a huge party for him.

While we may not go on such a drastic journey as the prodigal son, there are times on our own faith journey that we stray away from what we know is true and good. We decide to follow worldly trends instead of living the life God desires for us. We choose to be selfish instead of putting others first. Despite our prodigal moments God welcomes us home, granting us mercy and forgiveness. If the goal of our journey is union with God then this relationship of questioning and struggle is part of the learning process that leads us closer to that goal.

Lent is just one part of our eternal journey toward God's throne. In some respects it's easier than our lifelong journey because we can see the goal of Easter just a few weeks away. However, it serves as an example of what life should be like all the time. We shouldn't just work harder to become more Christ-like during Lent. Rather, we must continuously become the new creation that St. Paul talks about. Only when our own focus is God's kingdom can we help others on their own journeys through our work as peacemakers.

Reflection Question

In what ways have you experienced prodigal moments on your journey of faith that helped to strengthen your relationship with God?

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