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In his essay, J.R.R. Tolkien pays tribute to the power of the Christian proclamation. He notes that there is no other story which so many skeptics “have accepted as true on its own merits.” Our Easter Gospel is a story of living faith in which we are participants, and to which we are now witnesses.
Luke remains consistent to the characteristics he’s highlighted all through his Gospel. He especially depicts Jesus’ concern for those on the margins of society–shown as the Lord heals in the Garden, comforts the weeping women, forgives his executioners, and welcomes the repentant thief.
The knowledge and perspective we bring to any experience determines how we feel about that experience. Lent is a time to alter our way of looking at ourselves and our world. What surprises await us this week as we re-orient ourselves based on our coming to know Jesus Christ?
The Gospel story today is the familiar one of the prodigal son, better titled “The Father Who Couldn’t Forget.” There our God is portrayed as the parent who waited day after day for his errant child to return.
Jesus says all of us must be “reform-minded.” We all have opportunities to turn from sin and accept God’s love. It’s what baptism commits us to do.
In our Christian communities this season, we’re preparing with those who will be baptized at Easter. Let’s reaffirm our own Christian commitment as we pray and fast with them.
As we hear of the Lord’s temptations in the desert, let’s let this very human portrait of Jesus remind us of how we’re called to respond in times of temptation: To depend upon God’s grace and allow it to support and sustain us.
