Lk 15:1-32 .. "Now the older son had been out in the field and, on his way back, as he neared the house, he heard the sound of music and dancing. He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean. The servant said to him, ‘Your brother has returned and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound.’ He became angry,... ‘Look, all these years I served you and not once did I disobey your orders; yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends. But when your son returns, who swallowed up your property with prostitutes, for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’"
For a moment, we can side with the older brother. He seems right, and this is not "fair". Well, let's look a little deeper. Let's look at the older brother's description of his Spiritual life: - he followed the rules. Is that enough? Does our Spiritual life consist of a list of boxes that need to be checked? If so, we MAY NOT be lost. His father says, "My son, you are here with me always." If we check the boxes: Sunday mass, believe in God, strive to live a good life..., we MAY NOT be lost, but we MAY NOT be saints. GOD asks for more than checked boxes. HE wants a relationship. HE wants us to go beyond the rules. The world can follow the rules, but we are not Of The World. Jn 17:16. Some view the story of The Prodigal Son as one good and one bad. Actually, it is a story of 2 different forms of SIN. Today, as we meditate on this parable, let us reflect on whether our relationship with GOD is holy or sinful? Are we checking off boxes, or are we desiring to grow in holiness? Are we doing what we must or are we striving to be HIS saint? Do we "get angry", because we judge as the world or are we joyful, and peaceful, as a Child of GOD?
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us.
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