The associated reading for this reflection can be found in your Every Sacred Sunday Mass journal or online here.
I confess that in prayer I always connect quite deeply with either the Prodigal Son or the Older Son in today’s Gospel containing the infamous Parable of the Prodigal Son. The Lord always stirs up so many things in my heart. In regards to the prodigal son, I normally find myself facing the dark places of my heart that so frequently bring me to a posture of self-reliance — thinking I know what is best for myself, apart from the Father’s comfort, and the many ways in which I can grasp so selfishly at the comforts of this world that often can lead me to sin.
And then there’s the older son, who surely no one wants to honestly find themselves relating to. We get a taste of his broken heart in the Scriptures: envious and petty towards his brother and his father. We notice a profound loss of respect when he begins his harsh reply saying, ‘“Look…” and sense that he breaks ties with his once-beloved younger brother by saying, “But when your son returns…” I hate to fess up to it, but so often I do find myself in a place of resentment, anger, and ingratitude at the sight of God the Father’s relentless outpouring of love in those around me — how easy it is for me to want to break ties and breakaway from communion! In my own jealousy, I forget that I have a God who is passionate, provoked, stirred and moved to take action against whatever or whoever stands in the way of His enjoyment of me, His beloved son.
I fear that there is a third character that many of us, myself included, often overlook when it comes to praying vulnerably with this passage of the Scriptures. Maybe it is due to our own insecurities, wounds, and senses of unrelatability that he is overlooked. This character, of course, is the father. It is definitely much easier to relate to the two sons because they seem to be just as broken as we are. We truly may be the younger son at times, and the older son at other times. But we are called to be the father. We are called to be this central figure that gives generously, that forces nothing on others, waits patiently, and loves others relentlessly. What a gift it is that our Father in Heaven invites us to be His ambassadors of love in this world! Because we have received so much from Him, He invites us to pour out this very love to those around us — everyone. He speaks to our hearts so powerfully and gently: “Although you have sinned against heaven and against me, you still deserve to be my child. You are here with me always. Everything I have is yours.”
I encourage you to pray with the image of Rembrandt’s “Prodigal Son,” to read “The Return of the Prodigal Son” by Henri Nouwen, and to check out the song “Reckless Love” by Cory Asbury. May God bless you all this Lent!
Zinjin Iglesia is a seminarian for the Diocese of Arlington, VA, undergoing seminary formation in Philadelphia. He enjoys all things coffee, good eats, kombucha brewing, traveling, and encountering God through beauty. Please pray for him as he prepares for ordination to the Transitional Diaconate this Easter!