2nd Week of Lent (B) : Saturday 2nd March 2024

Prophet Micah prays earnestly to God Who is incomparable in pardoning faults and showing mercy. Concordantly, the psalmist exhorts, “The Lord is compassion and love. As far as the east is from the west, so far does He remove our sins.”

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, Jesus portrays the loving Father as one who is prodigal (generous) in his love for all of us in spite of our sins. Jesus relates how the father figure even runs towards his son when he sees him from afar because he is moved with pity. He runs to the boy, clasps him in his arms and kisses him tenderly. Such prodigality, such compassion, such tenderness! Remember that this son of his has left home, squandered his inheritance and lived a life of debauchery. Yet, Jesus narrates vividly the great compassion of this father, and in doing so, he also puts forth the image of a merciful God.

This is our great consolation, despite our life of sin and its many attachments, God will run to us when we return to Him. We just have to make that first initial step of turning back to God, and He will run tenderly to embrace us regardless of our sins. Our Father is prodigal in mercy even when we are prodigal children in our sins.

Dear Lord, grant me that repentant grace to turn back to You, each time I sin against You.