Fourth Sunday of Lent - Cycle C
March 14, 2010
Opening Prayer
First Reading: Joshua 5:9a, 10-12
Psalm: 34:2-7
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Gospel Reading: Luke 15:1-3,11-32
- Today’s Gospel, the parable of the prodigal son, is one of three parables (see verses 4-10) that Jesus addresses to the Pharisees who challenged him for associating with “tax collectors and sinners” who flocked to hear Jesus’ words (verses 1-2).
- The Pharisees were a religious party of Jesus’ day who prided themselves on strictly keeping to the prescriptions of the Jewish purity laws. Many of them were undoubtedly holy men, and they were generally respected by the people for their holiness and their refusal to cooperate with the occupying Romans. Some Pharisees, however, became legalistic and judgmental in their attitude toward those who did not meet their standards. These set themselves up in opposition to Jesus and his followers. They may also have been jealous when the despised tax collectors and sinners were drawn to Jesus and his gospel of mercy.
- This Sunday’s parable can more accurately called the parable of the forgiving father, since he is can be seen as the main figure in the story. Just as God the Father is always ready to let us exercise our free will and go our own ways, in his mercy and compassion he is more than ready to be on the lookout for the least sign of our returning in repentance to him, and welcoming us home. As Jesus teaches earlier in this chapter, “there will be rejoicing among the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:7,11).
QUESTIONS:
- What stages does the younger son go through on his pilgrimage (verses 13-16)? What brings him to his senses? What does he realize then? With what sort of attitude does he approach his father? How does the father receive his son? Why??
- How does the older brother feel about the younger brother’s return? Why? How does the father answer the older brother’s objections (verse 29)?
- What’s Jesus’ point with this parable? What does this story teach about sin, repentance and God’s love? What does the First Reading tell us about God’s care for us and his solicitude to carry us through trials and temptations to the end?
- Comparing yourself to the two brothers in this parable, who are you most like? Why? How have you experienced God as similar to this father?
- Consider verse 31: What does God have to give you that you have not taken?
Closing Prayer
Catechism of the Catholic Church: §§ 1439, 545, 1443, 2839, 2795
I'm certain of this - that if my conscience were burdened with all the sins it's possible to commit, I would still go and throw myself into our Lord's arms, my heart all broken up with contrition; I know what tenderness He has for any prodigal child of His that comes back to Him.
–St. Therese of Lisieux
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Read God's Book continually; never let the sacred volume be out of your hand. Learn, so that you may teach.
- St. Jerome