4th Sunday of Lent
We celebrate Laetare Sunday (in Latin, ‘laetare’ means ‘rejoice’) and pause to reflect on joy in this season of penance and sacrifice. Saint Paul gives us the reason for our joy: Brothers and sisters, whoever is in Christ is a new creation: the old things have passed away; behold, new things have come. Through the reconciling love of God in Christ we experience in our Baptism and in each Eucharist, we are a new creation.
However, as we look within our own hearts and at the world around us, it becomes clear that the new creation is still a work in progress and much needs to be made new. The divisions within our world, our families, and our communities cry out for reconciling love—those judged as worthless or not belonging long for acceptance by others. So many stand outside the community as sinners either through their own actions or through the judgment of others.
Saint Paul also reminds us that we have been given the ministry of reconciliation and entrusted with the message of God’s forgiveness and compassion. The parable in today’s reading invites us to reflect on ourselves as ministers of reconciliation.
The younger son, who has squandered all that the father had given him and seeks to return to the family, speaks to our personal need for forgiveness by admitting our sinfulness and returning home. The older son, refusing to rejoice in his brother’s return, speaks to our unwillingness to offer reconciliation to others.
At times, we are the ones needing forgiveness and the ones who need to offer reconciliation without strings or cost. To be ministers of reconciliation, we must be open to the need and possibility of change in ourselves and others. If we do not, we will miss out on God’s great compassion.
Who can I reconcile today?
Let Us Pray:
Gracious Lord, we thank you for the gift of reconciliation you have given us through Christ, and we humbly ask that you enable us to bring that reconciliation to others, especially those who stand outside the community. Amen.
