In the readings for Cycle C for this Sunday we hear about how God continues to provide for the Israelites as they cross the Jordan and enter into Canaan. He gives them a source of food that they can use to celebrate the Passover. They had not been able to celebrate this traditional feast when they were in the
desert for all those years. Just a few years ago we were in the desert that was created by the Coronavirus, and we were unable to celebrate mass together due to the possibility of spreading serious germs to others. The virus is still around and may require us to stay home. As I write this reflection I have a cold and am trying to stay away from others as much as I can; I don’t want them to catch my germs and
get sick too.
In our second reading and the Gospel we hear about reconciliation and renewing relationships with our loved ones and our neighbors and with God. When we do things that strain or even break our relationships, we need reconciliation, mercy and forgiveness. As we know, this is not always that easy due to our pride and reluctance to confront our sins and to reconcile. In many ways, I think reconciling with God is the easier of the two. It is harder to reconcile with other people, because we have to talk to them and listen to what they have to say back to us. What they say may even be hurtful and bring
back emotions we are not ready to face. We may not even end up reconciling. But if we don’t try, we will never know, will we?
So during this Lent, try to reconcile with God and others. Once you do, you will feel better and so will the other person and God. God will open his arms like the Father in the Gospel story, and say to you that we must celebrate and rejoice, for the prodigal son or daughter was lost and has been found.
May God bless you with the gift and grace of mercy and forgiveness during Lent 2025.