DATE : 6/3/2021
EVENT : Saturday of the Second week of Lent
COLOUR:Violet
READINGS : Micah 7:14-15,18-20; Resp. Psalm 102:1-4,9-12; Luke 15:1-3,11-32.
THEME: COME DEAR SINNER!!! GOD NEVER REJECTS ANYONE
Greetings beloved people of God. I welcome you to "My Catholic Homily Digest". On this Sixth day of March, I wish to reflect with you on the theme: " Come Dear Sinner!!! God Never Rejects Anyone ". Beloved in Christ, there has been a recent debate about the most appropriate and befitting title for the Gospel reading of today, Luke:15:1-32. The popular theme in the past was, 'The Prodigal Son'. But, judging from the several perspectives from which this parable could be used to preach, several other titles have been suggested, ranging from, 'The parable of the Merciful Father', 'The parable of reconciliation and forgiveness', and, 'The parable of the jealous and ungrateful elder Brother'. However, each of these themes is apt, depending on the angle one chooses to approach the text from, just like the proverbial '9' and '6', view positions of two onlookers.
Consequently, because of the time we are in, namely the season of grace and mercy, permit me to reflect with you on the second suggested title of the Gospel namely, 'The parable of the Merciful Father'. Beloved in Christ, according to one of my brother priest, Fr. Henry Emeka, MSP, 'God is scandalously merciful'. He is so merciful that even if the devil were to repent tomorrow, God will be willing to forgive him. What More can be more consoling than the thought of a God, who is always ready, always willing and always on the lookout for a returning sinner. Listen to me child of God, the Gospel recorded that the Father sighted the son from a long distance and ran towards him, Luke 15:20. Now, can you imagine how many times the father must have come to the balcony of the house, always looking in expectation, into the far distance, if he could see his son. Can you imagine how many oblation and prayers the father had offered so that his son would return. And behold on this fateful day, while he was standing by the same balcony, his eyes beheld his son from a distance, and his heart was filled with great joy as tears rolled down his cheeks. Beloved, it is the same with you and I. God is always expecting us to return to him. It will most gladden his heart, if he sees us making the effort to return, and like the merciful father of the Gospel, God will send his angels to assist us with all the graces we will need to make it safely home, where the angels and saints are already throwing party and dancing in jubilation on our behalf (Luke 15:7).
Dearest in Christ, the rejoicing of the angels will be short lived, if we repent only for us to go back to our filth after a short while. Like many of us do after coming to confessions. Hear me, repentance is a very serious business and no child's play. Like the prodigal son, if you truly want to repent and experience God's redemption, then, you must consciously leave the domain of those things that cause you to sin. You must consciously renounce them. You must put all your evil friends and accomplises aside. You must not keep ties with the old. You must be ready to walk the talk, and make Sacrifices. May God help us to prayerfully renounce our sinful past and come to him with all our hearts....
Oh that today you would listen to his voice harden not your hearts (Ps.95:7-8).
LET US PRAY : Lord Jesus, you suffered and died for love of me, help me by your grace to rise up from my dungeon of sin and walk toward you....
The Lord be with you....... and with your Spirit.
May Almighty God bless you in the Name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit ....Amen
HAPPY WEEKEND BELOVED FRIENDS
@ Fada Emmanuel Nnamdi Megwara, MSP. ⛪
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