"The Lord never tires of forgiving,
it is we who tire of asking for forgiveness."
Pope Francis
We've visited it before, but the parable of the Prodigal Son or the Merciful Father is probably one of the most well know parables in our scriptures.
Take a journey through it again and spend time reflecting on how we can be more merciful ourselves while also accepting of God's mercy.
Take a journey through it again and spend time reflecting on how we can be more merciful ourselves while also accepting of God's mercy.
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Luke 15:11-32 (ESV)
The Parable of the Prodigal Son
11 And he said, “There was a man who had two sons. 12 And the younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of property that is coming to me.’ And he divided his property between them. 13 Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took a journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in reckless living.
Have there been times in your own life when you have felt ‘lost’ or distant from God? What was that experience like? |
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14 And when he had spent everything, a severe famine arose in that country, and he began to be in need. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed pigs. 16 And he was longing to be fed with the pods that the pigs ate, and no one gave him anything.
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
17 “But when he came to himself, he said, ‘How many of my father's hired servants have more than enough bread, but I perish here with hunger! 18 I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son. Treat me as one of your hired servants.”’
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Have there been times you have not felt worthy of love?
During these times do you ever stop and remember that God knows you inside and out and God made you in Gods image? Nothing you do can stop God from loving you! |
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20 And he arose and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring quickly the best robe, and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet. 23 And bring the fattened calf and kill it, and let us eat and celebrate. 24 For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.’ And they began to celebrate.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation is a gift that helps us allow healing, especially at times when we do not feel worthy but are truely sorry for the choices and actions we make that are not life giving.
Sacrament of Reconciliation:
The Sacrament of Reconciliation helps us experience the abundance of the mercy of God.
As a family why not go and participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation this week. Afterwards you may want to share or talk about the experience, keeping in mind the idea of Mercy.
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Here are a couple of songs that you may like to incorporate into your family prayer time this week.
Some versions of the Prodigal Son for older kids:
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