Dear friends in Christ

This Sunday we hear Saint Luke narrate the story of the Prodigal Son, a parable so well known to us. In this story we hear Jesus describe the tragedy of what happens when we separate ourselves from the love of God. When a person sins gravely, they are lost to God and also to themselves, because sin makes us lose our way to heaven. It is the greatest tragedy that can happen to anyone, to a Christian soul. But Jesus, in His beautiful parable describes for us the way back to the house of the Father. In the plight in which he finds himself, he feels homesick, and little by little his senses begin to tell him that he is missing the warmth of his home, the constant memory of his father's face, the old stirrings of affection rise up. Sorrow has somehow ennobled him and the rehearsed phrases are sincere: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son. Treat me as one of your paid servants. Even though the son arrives back hungry, dirty and in rags, his father had seen him coming in the distance and moved with pity runs towards him and forgives him without a second thought. We can trace within this beautiful story the whole process of reconciliation, in the Sacrament of Penance, Confession. The four stages of this Sacrament are all there: Contrition—I will leave this place and go to my Father; Confession of sins—Father I have sinned against heaven and against you; Absolution—the embrace of the Father; Penance/Satisfaction—I no longer deserve to be called your son, treat me as one of your paid servants. God never tires of waiting for us and it doesn’t matter how long it has been since our last Confession—it is never too late! The loving words of Jesus inspire and move us: I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.

Wishing a blessed second half of Lent and a very happy Mother's Day to all those who have the joy and privilege of bearing that name!

Msgr Kevin Hale