Jesus is divine mercy in person.  Hence, he is ready to forgive us if we come to our senses and decide to turn back to God.

We have all to come to our senses and return so as not to perish.  For we all stray, those from Galilee or Jerusalem.  Those of us who are older siblings or younger.  Those of us also who are publicans with whom Jesus eats or Pharisees who do not want him to do so.

And it is urgent that we come to our senses to flee from the misery that has befallen us.  Also, we take courage since we remember God’s goodness, made flesh in Jesus.  We have no reason not to eat of his harvest and table; no reason to live like swine or to perish.

So then, we get up and return to our good Father.  And he, in turn, waits for us, always ready to welcome us.  It seems he cannot come to his senses to know he spoils his children.  For his love has no limits.

No, there is no doubt that not a few think he pampers his children.  He is thought so since we humans cannot grasp his love.  That is why we are resentful as the older son.  What we want to say is that the Father is to blame most of all.   And what guilt do we tell him to his face?

His guilt is that he respects our freedom and choices.  He is guilty of loving us with age-old love, of not tiring to show us mercy (Jer 31, 3).

And the charge cannot be denied.  For were he not guilty, he would not watch for the return of his lost children.  Nor would he let us forget our sins, but would nurse lasting anger.  He would also call us to a reckoning and punish us.

For God not to come to his senses means salvation for those who come to their senses.

But the truth is, our merciful Father is always on the lookout so he may run to meet the stray, to hug and kiss us.  He does not give us penance.  He does not even let us finish our confession, for he spares us more shame.

For his only concern is our good, our dignity.  To rejoice, then, it is enough for him that the dead live again.  And to hold a feast, it is enough that he finds us who are lost.

And the feast is for the whole household and the neighbors.  But sadly, they refuse to come to their senses and enter, those who do not want to be friends of sinners.  Those who cannot bear eat with them.  Those who pray and tell God, “I am not like ‘this publican,’ ‘this son of yours’ …” (Lk 18, 9-14).

So clearly, we all need to come to our senses.  To love so as not to stay in the dark, in death (1 Jn 2, 9. 11; 3, 14).  To think and act as God’s children, not as slaves (Rom 8, 15).

And let us note that till we all enter, there will be no worship just in Zion nor will God make a pact with Israel and with Judah (Jer 31, 6. 31).  Nor will we reconcile with God and with one another through Christ, whose blood seals the new covenant.

Lord Jesus, grant that the mercy of God that you embody make us come to our senses and repent.  Fill us with the spirit of compassion and mercy, so that we may mirror you (SV.EN XI:308).

27 March 2022
Fourth Sunday of Lent (C)
Jos 5.9a. 10-12; 2 Cor 5, 17-21; Lk 15, 1-3. 11-32