Readings:
Micah 7:14-15,18-20
Luke 15:1-3,11-32
Reflection
Speaking about Mercy, Pope St. John Paul II says that a merciful love “is able to reach down to every prodigal son, to every human misery, and above all to every form of moral misery. When this happens, the person who is the object of mercy does not feel humiliated, but rather found again and restored to value.”
Being found again by the Good Shepherd and restored to value is the joy of Christianity. This joy indicates that my sins do not define me. They do not cease me from truly being the child of God. By finding me, God, in a way, exposes me to the truth about myself.
The story of the prodigal son is a revelation of God’s unconditional love for each one of us. This unconditional love unfolds in the grace of conversion. Thus, God’s mercy penetrates compassionately in every aspect of our brokenness. The mercy of God is complete when we are restored to our original value – a state of Grace – a total participation in God’s glory.
May this lent continue to be a source of grace: a grace of being found and a grace of being restored to value.
Justin Durai Raj CP is a member of the Passionist community at St.Paul, Glen Osmond, SA.