Weekend Mass

Dear Beloved Family of St. Anselm,

The liturgy of this Fourth Sunday, called "Laetare," invites us to be glad and rejoice as the Entrance Antiphon of the Eucharistic celebration proclaims, with reconciliation at the heart of the readings for this Sunday. The story of the Prodigal Son is the story of Israel and the human race. But it is also the story of every believer. In Baptism, we’re given a divine birthright, made “a new creation,” as Paul puts it in today’s Epistle. But when we sin, we’re like the Prodigal Son, quitting our Father’s house, squandering our inheritance in trying to live without Him.

Lost in sin, we cut ourselves from the grace of sonship lavished upon us in Baptism. It is still possible for us to come to our senses and return to the Father, as the prodigal does. But only He can remove the reproach and restore the divine sonship we have spurned like the Prodigal Son. The Father's words of longing and compassion still come to His prodigal children in the Sacrament of Penance. Reconciled like Israel, we take our place at the table of the Eucharist, the homecoming banquet, where the Father calls for His lost sons, rejoicing that we who were dead are found alive again.

Lent offers us the great comfort of knowing that, even when we feel lost in sin, our God is waiting to embrace and forgive us when we return with repentant hearts. The sacrament of reconciliation – confession is a great help and testimony of a God always waiting for our return. Also, if others have wandered away from their Father's home, they should be our concern. We should be praying for them. We should even attempt to search them out to lead them back to God, reminding them of the mercy of God in the sacrament of confession. Knowing that a person has repented should be a source of great joy.

Interestingly, the love and forgiveness of the Father come into play when this son comes to his senses . . . he thinks!!! As wandering children of God, we cannot compel God to accept us the way we want. Today, Our society wants to compel God and the Church to accept behavior and conduct that society has fashioned out. NO! This is where we differ from the prodigal son. He came to his senses and decided to come back and, in the process, met the forgiveness of the Father. Let our society come to her senses. . . 

This weekend, as we draw nearer to the end of Lent, let me remind us of the New Year Resolutions of Pope Francis a few years ago, which can be a convenient guide for us: 

1. Don’t gossip, 
2. Finish your meals, 
3. Make time for others, 
4. Choose the “more humble” purchase, 
5. Meet the poor “in the flesh”,
6. Stop judging others, 
7. Befriend those who disagree, 
8. Make commitments, such as marriage. 

May God help us on this journey.

Amen.