Theme: Our God is loving and forgiving. Let us turn to him.
Scripture reading: Mic 7:14-15, 18-20; Ps. 102:1-4, 9-12, Lk. 15:1-3,11-32
A book of prophet Micah is one of the forgotten books of the Old Testament. It is referred very rarely. It is the sixth book of the minor prophets of the Old Testament. Prophet Micah is considered to the contemporary of Prophet Isaiah who lived somewhere 8th to 7th Century before Christ. The tone of book is to make the people aware of the disaster that is coming soon because they have disobeyed God. Prophet repeatedly said that God was well aware of their sins. God would respond with appropriate anger. The leaders of the community would be held responsible and accountable for the disaster. God did not break the promise but the people did not keep the promise.
These themes are dominated all throughout the book but it was interesting to note that the prophet end his book with the note on hope. He said that the Lord would lead the people to pasture to Bashan and Gilead. These were the places known for green pastures. The Israel had lost them. Going there which means having control over them. The prophet expressed hope that the days of old would return when they would have once again the peace in their land. The people would see the wonders once again. The God who was seen all throughout the book angry, unforgiving, revengeful God is now portrayed as the merciful, forgiving, compassionate, faithful and loyal God. The world does not know this God’s true nature. They are confused because they think that God is avenging, punishing God. This nature of God has to be proclaimed everyone in the world.
Jesus proclaimed it through his life and teaching. Today’s parable is an expression of God’s true nature. This parable is known to all of us. The prodigal son just like the people of Israel or a group of sinners, tax-collectors, publicans squandered all the gifts of God and was left with nothing. He realized that he should return to his father. He set out. His father saw him at distance. He was moved with pity to see him. He ran to the boy, clasped him in his arms and kissed him tenderly. This shows that the Father was waiting for his son more than the son wanted to come home. Father did not wait for his son to confess his sins. At his return, father gave him back everything he had lost especially his dignity. He rejoiced at his return by throwing meal to his servants. The father in the parable of prodigal son depicts the real nature of God who is merciful, forgiving, compassionate, faithful and loyal.
We are in midst of Lenten season. We might have intensified our preparation. We are constantly looking at our failures, sins and mistakes. There might be tendency to get negative or harsh on ourselves. Today’s liturgy is reassuring us that our God is loving and forgiving. We need only to return to him just like the prodigal son. Let us pray that we may concentrate on the love and mercy of God in our sinfulness.
Fr. Alex D’Mello
