Daily Scripture Reflection & Prayer: March 22, 2025

Saturday of the 2nd Week of Lent

Scripture Text: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32

Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus, but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying, "This man welcomes sinners and eats with them." So, to them Jesus addressed this parable. "A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of your estate that should come to me.' So, the father divided the property between them. After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings and set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.

When he had freely spent everything, a severe famine struck that country, and he found himself in dire need. So, he hired himself out to one of the local citizens who sent him to his farm to tend the swine. And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed, but nobody gave him any. Coming to his senses he thought, 'How many of my father's hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger. I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers."'

So, he got up and went back to his father. While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. His son said to him,

'Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.' But his father ordered his servants, 'Quickly, bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.' Then the celebration began.

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, and when he refused to enter the house, his father came out and pleaded with him. He said to his father in reply, '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.' He said to him, 'My son, you are here with me always; everything I have is yours. But now we must celebrate and rejoice, because your brother was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.'"

Breaking the text open – background and summary:

Today’s gospel is the familiar parable of the Prodigal Son who demands what he has not earned, squanders it, then recalls the love of the father and the bounty at his father’s home. He penitently returns and is greeted, even before his apology, lovingly by his merciful father who celebrates his return. The older son, in the meantime, is jealous and protests the father’s joy. Jesus’ parable reminds us of our foolish capabilities and the need for our own humility, of the heavenly Father’s merciful love, and of our own “competition” with our brothers and jealousy and anger over another’s blessing.

Meditating on the text with personal questions:

Do I tend to the salvation won for me by Christ, to my inheritance? Do I trust the heavenly Father’s merciful love? Am I inclusive of others rather than competitive? Do I resent the blessings and good fortune others receive?

Praying:

LORD, Heavenly Father, we come to You this day aware of all that we are and have because of your great love for us. We give thanks especially for the gift of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, whom You sent to us as our brother and our savior. Send your Spirit to rouse in us a fuller and deeper understanding of your great love and of Christ’s love that took Christ to the cross on Calvary to give himself selflessly for love of You and love of us. Grant that we may more intentionally tend to the salvation won for us and to the gift You offer to us, life in, with, and through You. Help us to celebrate this gift we have received and to seek the welfare and well-being of all our sisters and brothers for whom Christ also lovingly redeemed. We ask this in the name of your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with You and the Spirit, one LORD, forever and ever. Amen.