He Got Up and Went Back

March 10, 2012

Saturday of the Second Week of Lent

Who is there like you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot our guilt? Micah 7:18-19

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. Luke 15:20-24

Piety

Father, give me the strength and will power to take the first step in your direction. Jesus, guide me as I turn to you rather than things or the world as the path to true happiness. Holy Spirit, guide my next steps so I stay on the proper path.

Study

Then, the celebration began.

Despite the loneliness and grief that this ungrateful son made his father endure, they were able to get past the despair by covenant action on both of their parts. First, it took action on the part of the son. He had to willingly and voluntarily decide to give up his lifestyle and go back to his Father. The Father would not come chasing after him if the son did not take the first step.

Second, once the son took that step, the Father no longer waited at the window watching for the son to come all the way home. With that one-step program, the celebration began.

These days we have a tendency to focus on various twelve-step programs. Alcoholics Anonymous. Cocaine Anonymous. Clutterers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous. Online Gamers Anonymous. Overeaters Anonymous. Smokers Anonymous. Workaholics Anonymous. Pick your addiction and there is a group willing to welcome you into their midst as you try to change the direction in which you are looking for happiness.

Like the Prodigal or Lost Son, these groups are like your Father. When you take the first step, the members of these groups will be there to support you on your way back to a life in companionship with the Lord and each other and a life without whatever outside substance upon which you have become dependent.

Action

How are you using this Lenten journey to turn around and go back to the path of priest, prophet and king that you started to travel with your baptism?

Have you participated in Operation Rice Bowl? This is the Lenten program of Catholic Relief Services. People are encouraged to change some of their daily habits in order to be in greater solidarity with their sisters and brothers around the world.

For more than 35 years, CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl has offered Catholics in the United States a way to connect with our brothers and sisters in need around the world through the traditional Lenten practices of prayer, fasting and almsgiving. Nearly 13,000 faith communities across the United States participate in the program each Lent to demonstrate solidarity with the poor around the world.

Maybe by skipping restaurants for one day per week (when you would normally eat out) you can donate money into your Rice Bowl. Skip buying something on Amazon or eBay and give the money to your Rice Bowl. On Friday’s, prepare a simple meal like that which would be eaten by people in one of the focused countries. Then you can donate the difference into your Rice Bowl. Other suggestions from CRS include:

· Use the Prayer Service with your faith community.

· Use the Lenten Prayer Eggs to learn how Catholic Relief Services’ work embodies the principles of Catholic social teaching.

· Test your knowledge of poverty and hunger and take the World Awareness Quiz.

· Use CRS’ Operation Rice Bowl Stations of the Cross and presentation and bring an international dimension to this traditional Lenten observance.

Don’t forget to turn in your donations to your parish or CRS at the end of Lent. Then let the celebration begin.