Lord, thank you for the sacrament of reconciliation

He asked his father to give him his inheritance before his father died and his father gave him. Then he left his father’s place and migrated to another country with the intention of enjoying life.  (see Luke 15: 11-32).

He squandered his inheritance enjoying life with his friends in his adopted country. And meanwhile, a famine broke out in that country and he became dead broke. The only job he could find around was to work for a farmer. His job was to take care of pigs - pigs of all animals.  He was so broke that he could not afford to buy any grocery, so he ate some of the food for the pigs.

In his misery he came to his senses. He realized what he had done. He remembered the plentiful and delicious food in his family’s table back home. He remembered beautiful moments with his family in a comfortable home with many servants. And now he is someone’s servant.

The thought of facing his father whose feelings he disregarded scared him.  He knew he rejected his father and insulted him by asking his inheritance even before he was dead, which was not their custom. Because of what he had done, He now sees father as a just man, instead of a loving father.  He expected a stern lecture from him and he was resolved to listen to it with humility. His miserable situation made him swallow his pride.

So, he decided to return to his father’s home. On his way back home, he rehearsed a speech to his father. He thought of saying: “Father, I am sorry for what I have done. I have offended you. I don’t deserve to be called your son, but please take me back and make me your servant”.

 

He did not know that all along, his father was waiting for him to come back. His father was hoping against hope that his son would come back alive.  He did not know that his father never stopped loving him.

Form a distance, his father saw him coming. His father did not wait. His father ran to meet him.

His father hugged him. He did not have a chance to deliver his speech to his father.  His loving father welcomed him back with open arms and open heart.

When we disobey God we see God, not as a loving father, but as a just God. But once we repent and ask for God's forgiveness, our true image of God is restored.  God, once again becomes a loving father. And once again, we can rest in peace in His loving arms.

 

Lord, we thank you for the sacrament of reconciliation.