Lenten Reflection Day 20 ~ Thursday Third Week of Lent

Opening Prayers:

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be, and Confiteor (see Day 1).

Scripture Reading (Luke 15:11–24):

“And he said: A certain man had two sons… And the younger son… wasted his substance, living riotously… And returning to himself, he said: How many hired servants in my father's house abound with bread, and I here perish with hunger! I will arise and will go to my father… And when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and was moved with compassion, and running to him fell upon his neck, and kissed him… Bring forth quickly the first robe, and put it on him…”

Reflection:

Perhaps the most powerful image of Divine Mercy is that of the prodigal son. It is a narrative of sin, repentance, and reconciliation, a perfect meditation for the Lenten journey. The Church wishes to remind us of God’s boundless mercy and to urge us to return to Him with confidence, no matter how far we have strayed.

The younger son demands his inheritance, essentially wishing his father dead, and goes off to squander it in sin. He ends up in misery, feeding swine (an unclean task for a Jew), starving, and utterly degraded. This descent is a vivid image of what mortal sin does to the soul: it cuts us off from our Father, strips us of dignity, and leaves us empty. Yet notice the turning point: “Returning to himself…” Sin is alien to our deepest identity. To return to God is to return to who we truly are—beloved children made in His image. The prodigal rehearses a confession in his heart: “Father, I have sinned…” That moment of humility and resolve is the start of redemption.

The father, representing God the Father, sees his son “while he is still a long way off” and runs to him. This is astonishing! God is not passive, waiting coldly for us to prove our remorse. He runs to meet us the moment we begin to return. His mercy is not grudging, but overflowing. The father clothes the son in a fine robe (symbolizing sanctifying grace), places a ring on his hand (signifying restored dignity), and kills the fattened calf (a Eucharistic image of the feast of reconciliation). There is no scolding, no delay—just joy: “Let us eat and make merry: for this my son was dead, and is alive again; was lost, and is found.”

This story should fill us with confidence in God’s mercy. No sin is too great for Him to forgive. The only barrier is our refusal to return. The devil tempts us to despair by whispering, “God won’t take you back,” or “You’ve confessed this too many times.” But the truth is: God rejoices each time we come. “There will be more joy in Heaven over one sinner who repents…” (Luke 15:7). If you have not been to Confession recently, resolve to go soon—this week if possible. Make a sincere examination of conscience, and come home to the Father. You will not be met with anger, but with embrace.

There is also a cautionary note in the figure of the elder son. He resents his father’s mercy. He sees himself as dutiful, but his heart lacks love and joy. Sometimes we, too, can become bitter or self-righteous, begrudging mercy to others. This is a spiritual danger. We must remember that everything we have is a gift; “Son, thou art always with me, and all I have is thine.” If we truly live as faithful children, our joy should increase when others return. The elder brother stands outside the feast, not because he was excluded, but because he chose to remain resentful. Lent calls us to rejoice in the mercy of God, not just for ourselves, but for others as well.

A fitting Lenten exercise today might be to reread this parable slowly (Luke 15:11–32), imagining yourself as each character: the younger son, the elder son, even the father. What do you feel? What grace do you need? Let your heart be moved, and speak honestly to God. You might also take time to prepare for Confession, or if you’ve already gone, to make a heartfelt act of thanksgiving.

Closing Prayers:

V: O Lord, hear my prayer.

R: And let my cry come unto Thee.

V: Let us bless the Lord.

R: Thanks be to God.

V: May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

R: Amen.