March 31, 2019

4^th Sunday of Lent (C)

“A Father and his Wayward Sons”

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Today’s Gospel has been called the “the pearl and crown of all the parables of Scripture.” Through the story’s three characters, Jesus reveals something about ourselves and about God.
 
Let’s consider the younger son. He was the prodigal, which is to say, he was extravagant, wasteful or reckless. His demand to receive his inheritance before his father’s death was an insult and a heartless rejection of his loving home. Ungrateful and self-absorbed, he takes the money and sets out to find happiness or what he thinks is happiness. At first, life was good. But his lavish lifestyle was short-lived. He squandered his Father’s gifts to his own ruin. With funds depleted, his friends departed.
 
His problems were compounded when a famine broke out. Hitting rock bottom, his only hope for survival was to take a job herding swine, something no observant Jew would ever do! Even there he found himself in desperate straits—longing to eat the pods given to the swine. Eventually he comes to his senses. His realizes just how lost and how disconnected he was from all that was life-giving. He decides to return home. Mustering his courage he rehearses what he would say and sets out, bracing for the worst!
 
How often we can become self-absorbed, wasteful and reckless. How often we look for happiness in all the wrong places. We can become disconnected from those things that are so life-giving, family, friends, community. How many of us have to “learn things the hard way.”
 
Let’s consider the elder son. From all appearances, he was a model son—obedient, dutiful and hardworking. We can be sure he enjoyed the esteem of his relatives and neighbors: “Thank God, the old man has this faithful son. He’s not like the other one!” This good boy did not insult his father. But the appearance belies what is within. His brother’s return uncovers a deep-seeded resentment not only toward his brother but his father as well. He refuses to join the feast. Joy and resentment cannot co-exist!
 
If he were really a good son to his father, he would have rejoiced. But he thought his father not only weak but unjust and unappreciative of his fidelity. In reality the elder son was also lost; a foreigner in his own house. He chose complaining over gratitude, anger over joy, condemnation over forgiveness.
 
We can relate. There are times we are hurt; when we feel unappreciated; taken for granted; cheated. We can become resentful. We too can choose complaining over gratitude; anger over joy. Our hearts can harden toward others for all kinds of reasons. “Let those who hurt me, suffer!” It’s like what someone once expressed to me, “If someone throws a stone at me, I will throw a boulder at them.” How often our pride keeps us from forgiving another. How often have we tried the “silent treatment?”
 
But the heart of this parable is the Father. How does he relate to his sons? He never forgot his son who ran off. His heart was aching, grieving, longing for him. The son does not even reach the house before his father greets, embraces and kisses him. He ran out to meet him—running was beneath the dignity of an old man. Before he could finish his prepared confession, he is restored to his former dignity and honor. He is not only accepted, but welcomed. He is not a slave but a son. Instead of a confrontation we witness a coronation,
 
The father goes out to the elder son as well. He was sensitive to how he was feeling. He pleads with him to join the feast. He does not negate his son’s fidelity. His brother’s feast did not mean that he was less-loved or appreciated. He does not compare his sons for he loves them both.
 
This tells us something about God. It reveals his extraordinary love, mercy, and generosity. When we sin and turn away, He pursues us, he runs to meet us. He wants to restore us to our former dignity.
 
Here is an invitation to experience the love, mercy and generosity of the Lord. As Catholics, the Lord has given us the gift of sacramental confession. Lent is that privileged time to be received by the Father and to know the joy of His embrace. Take advantage of the many opportunities to receive the sacrament during this season. “Something to ponder—something to think about this week!”
 

4^th Sunday of Lent: RCIA Mass

“Time for a Lenten Eye Exam?”

Msgr. Thomas Gervasio

Lent is described in many ways. It is called a time of penance, reconciliation, a time of self-denial or mortification, a time of renewal, the Church’s forty day retreat.
 
Today’s readings as we celebrate the 2^nd Scrutiny for our Elect on their way to Baptism evoke another description of this season: a journey from darkness to light or blindness to sight.
 
The man born blind is moved from physical blindness to sight and at the same time, spiritual blindness to the light of faith. St. John contrasts him with the Pharisees, the experts of the Law who were so meticulous in their religious observance.
 
The Pharisees disputed the very fact that the miracle took place. At first they claimed it could not be true because it took place on the Sabbath and then they go so far to insist they he deny the miracle and renounce the giver of that gift. The longer form of the Gospel details the very contentious scene which ends in the man’s expulsion.
 
How many of you have seen the classic film, “The Song of Bernadette?” There is a scene of the first miracle at the Grotto of Our Lady—where a blind man receives his sight. He runs excitedly through Lourdes and going straight to the eye-doctor. The doctor did not believe him and to indulge him, gives him an eye exam. He asked him, “Can you tell me what the first letter on the chart is?” “No,” he replied. “Do you know what the second letter on the chart is?” “No,” said again. What about the third letter? “No,” came the reply. The doctor concluded, “Now there, I told you, you cannot see.” But, Doctor, said the man, I never did know how to read.”
 
It’s a paradox that the blind man sees and those who think they see are the ones who are really blind. The one in darkness comes to light while those who claim to be in the light are the ones in the darkness of sin.” For all their knowledge and fervor, the Pharisees were obstinate.
 
Do you know anyone like that? Some years ago, a woman met me at the door of the church at the end of Mass and was quite deeply upset about what I said in the homily. I told her I was sorry about that and perhaps I did not explain it well enough. I told her that it was explained very well in the Monitor that week. I picked up a copy that was at the door and said, “Perhaps this article might help you understand.” She said, “I don’t want to understand” and stormed out. Where does one go from there?
 
The Pharisees did not want to understand. They were spiritually blind to the presence and power of Christ.
           
I think we can safely say, all of us have blind spots. One blind spot can be my own faults while we see clearly the weaknesses and sins of others. Another blind spot might be God’s blessings for which I should be grateful. I might also be blind to the needs and sufferings of others. It’s so easy to be concerned about my own needs and preferences. A regular examination of conscience is a great help to identify our blind spots and help us develop a clear spiritual vision.
 
If there were any saint who knew what it meant to move from darkness to light, it was St. Augustine. I am happy to give him the last word this morning as our Elect take another step toward to Gift of Baptism—which is the gift of enlightenment.
 
“It is you, Eternal Light who say to everyone, ‘I am the Light of the World. He who follows me will not walk in darkness but will have the light of life. O Lord, I burn with longing for that light. Who sees my desire, if not you, O my God? Let my soul be enlarged...let it stretch forward and become ever more capable of receiving what no eye sees, what no ear hears, and what no human heart has yet experienced. Amen.”