Fourth Sunday of Lent (Year C)

 Fourth Sunday of Lent March 30, 2025

Joshua 5:9a, 10-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

(Image courtesy: Google)

A pastor heard that one of his parishioners was going about announcing to everyone that he would no longer attend church services. This rebellious parishioner was advancing the familiar argument that he could communicate with God just as easily out in the fields with nature as his setting for worship. One winter evening, the pastor called on him for a friendly visit. The two men sat before the fireplace making small talk, but studiously avoiding the issue of church attendance. After a while, the pastor took the tongs from the rack next to the fireplace and pulled a single coal from the fire. He placed the glowing ember on the hearth. As the two watched in silence, the coal quickly ceased burning and turned an ashen grey, while the other coals in the fire continued to burn brightly. Slowly the pastor put back the charcoal into fire and it burnt brightly. The pastor's silent message was not lost on the parishioner. After a long pause, he turned to the pastor and said "I'll be back at services next Sunday."

This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday, the Church invites us to rejoice. We are now halfway through our Lenten journey, and the light of Easter is approaching. Today’s Gospel presents one of the most beautiful and powerful parables told by Jesus: the Parable of the Prodigal Son. This story, found in Luke 15:1-3, 11-32, is a profound revelation of the mercy, love, and forgiveness of God. As we reflect on this parable, let us open our hearts to understand how it speaks to us today.

Today's first reading from the book of Joshua highlights the history of salvation of God's chosen people. Moses had led the people out of Egypt; now Joshua would lead them into the Promised Land. God had fed his people as they journeyed with manna from heaven, now that they have reached the land of promise, manna is replaced by products of the land. God ceases to be a pilgrim; he takes the risk of binding himself to institutions. 

Today's reading reminds us that no matter what difficulties we encounter on life's journey, we too can make it with the help of God. The only thing we need is persistence and faith that God never abandons us.

The parable of the Prodigal Son is one of the most powerful images of God's love for us. A son demands his inheritance, leaves home, squanders everything, and finds himself in misery. At his lowest point, he decides to return to his father, expecting only to be treated as a servant. But the father, seeing him from a distance, runs to embrace him, reinstating him as a son with full dignity.

This story resonates with many of us. We may not have physically left home like the prodigal son, but at different times in our lives, we may have turned away from God. We may have sought fulfilment in things that left us empty, or we may have wandered from the love of our Heavenly Father through sin, pride, or selfishness. Yet, this parable reassures us that no matter how far we stray, God's arms are always open.

While we often focus on the younger son, the elder brother in the parable also teaches us a lesson. He stayed home, followed the rules, and yet resented his father’s mercy toward his wayward brother. His heart was filled with self-righteousness and bitterness.

This can happen to us, too. Sometimes, we think we are better than others because we have remained faithful. We may struggle to forgive those who have hurt us. But the father in the story shows us another way—the way of mercy. Instead of resenting the sinner who repents, we are called to rejoice, just as heaven rejoices over one sinner who returns (Luke 15:7).

The parable ends with the father inviting the elder son to join the celebration, just as God invites each of us to share in His joy. Today, the Church reminds us to rejoice because salvation is at hand. No matter how sinful or distant we may feel, God’s love is greater. This Laetare Sunday, let us cast aside despair and embrace the hope and joy of God’s forgiveness.

In today's second reading Paul reminds the Corinthians that we are not called to be God's slaves but His children. All people are invited to be God's children. We are called to be a new creation, for anyone in Christ is a new creation. Paul sums up Christ's mission as follows: to reconcile people with his Father and to make them a new creation. Reconciliation with God and with one another is especially needed in the world today with its many divisions. There can be no peace without repentance and reconciliation.

As we continue our Lenten journey, let us reflect on our own hearts. Do we need to return to the Father, like the prodigal son? Or do we need to let go of resentment and self-righteousness, like the elder son? May we all come to experience the boundless mercy of our loving Father, who never ceases to call us home.

Happy Sunday