Saint Katherine Drexel (1858-1955): American; heiress; philanthropist; foundress Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament, Xavier University of Louisiana; canonized 2000.
Readings of the day: RB 26 Unlawful Association with the Excommunicated
Mass: Mi 7:14-15, 18-20; Resp Ps 103; Lk 15:1-3, 11-32
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| The Prodigal Son, Rembrandt |
Now we must celebrate and rejoice; because your brother was dead and
has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.
We all make mistakes; we do things we later regret; we say something harsh or critical to a loved one; we waste money or material goods; think we can make it on our own. In other words, we are all prodigal. Even so, there comes a time when we want to make amends; we hope for a second chance. T. Dajczer (d. 2009) writes this in his commentary on today’s Gospel: ‘I cannot return to the loving Father unless I am convinced I am a needy prodigal. However, to start the way back I need a trial of faith so that I realize in some small or big way that I am helpless. The situation will remind us of that critical moment when that famous prodigal son becomes a pig farmer.
Every one of us is prodigal. Human life is a continual departure from God. It needs to be a continual return to him…conversion needs to be a regular event in my Christian life.’
THE LORD IS KIND AND MERCIFUL.
He pardons all your iniquities,
he heals all your ills.
He redeems your life from destruction,
he crowns you with kindness and compassion.
He will not always chide,
nor does he keep his wrath forever.
Not according to our sins does he deal with us,
nor does he requite us according to our sins.
(Resp. Ps 103)
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