THE ANGUISH OF THE ELDER BROTHER (Saturday of Lent, Week 2)

Описание: “Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead and is alive; he was lost and is found.” (Luke 15:31-32)

Today’s readings call for an examination of conscience. Seeing Jesus amid sinners (tax collectors) looked scandalous to the holier-than-thou scribes and Pharisees, who believed religion was about giving others the impression of holiness. Jesus described them as whitewashed tombs because they appeared saintly outwardly, but their hearts were corrupt. Instead of removing the log in their eyes (repenting of hypocrisy), they looked for every possible way to paint Jesus in a bad light. When I consider the truth offensive, do I fight the preacher?

In his defence, Jesus explained that He did not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance (Cf. Luke 5:32). To drive home this point, Jesus gave the Parable of the Prodigal Son. While this parable concretely explains the infinite mercy of God, it also captures the scribes and Pharisees’ position as the elder brother who shut himself out of the banquet (the kingdom of God) because he felt cheated. Do I think God is unfair in letting sinners enjoy life? Have I stopped going to church because I think that church is full of evil people and hypocrites?

After squandering his share of his Father’s inheritance, it dawned on the prodigal son that death is the only reward for sin (living outside of God’s rules and instructions). (Cf. Romans 6:23). We must praise the Prodigal Son for coming to his senses, preaching to himself, and resolving to return to his Father. Some people prefer to die in their shame than to take steps back to God. Do I feel that it is too late for me?

No matter what your past has been, as Micah says today, God will forgive your sin (Cf. Micah 7:18-20). The only time God will not forgive is when we refuse to ask for forgiveness. This is known as despair (the belief that God cannot forgive).

The Prodigal son expressed contrition; he was willing to be treated as a slave because he understood the gravity of his sin. He did not seek to shift the blame to anyone else, like Adam and Eve. When I go for confession, do I acknowledge my faults? God’s mercy knows no bounds, but unless we are sorry for our sins and see our faults, we cannot repent.

The Father heard that the elder brother was outside. The father could have ignored him, but this would mean losing another son. Just as the Father was merciful to the prodigal son, he showed mercy to the elder brother by stepping out of the banquet to reason with him. Joseph’s brothers hated him because Israel, their father, loved him more than the other children, and he did not hide it. When one of my children is not doing well (or goes astray), do I reach out to them in love?

Let us pray: O God, who grant us by glorious healing remedies while still on earth to be partakers of the things of heaven, guide us, we pray, through this present life and bring us to that light in which you dwell. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever.

Be Happy. Live Positive. Have Faith. It is well with you. May God’s abundant blessings be upon us all. (Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent, Liturgical Colour: Violet. Bible Study: Micah 7:14-15,18-20, Ps. 103:1-4,9-12, Luke 15:1-3,11-32)

@Rev. Fr. Evaristus E. Abu