Lent- and God's Love

This weekend we are half way through the Church season of Lent. It’s a good time to stop and reflect on our relationship with God. Yes… relationship! God is all about relationship. ‘He’ created us in ‘His’ own image to be in relationship with Him and each other. He sent Jesus to show us how to relate to Him. Jesus died for our sins to restore our relationship with God.

The story Jesus told about the ‘prodigal son’ is all about relationships. It will be read at this weekend’s masses. A loving father had two sons. The younger son asked for his family inheritance (unheard of while his father was still living!). The father nonetheless divided his inheritance between his sons and the younger son went away and squandered his money. Poor and destitute, he returned to his father asking for a place as a servant. The father, seeing his son coming, rushes to embrace him with love and mercy. The son then realises how selfish and hurtful he has been. The father does not admonish him but gives him gifts and a welcome home celebration. There is a second part to this story. The older brother complains about his ‘undeserving‘ brother being welcomed home. He is angry with his father and resentful, judgemental and envious (even though he has already received his own inheritance and been treated with nothing but love). The father pleads with his son to join the celebration but we are left wondering whether he will accept this invitation or not.

The father in the story of course is God. And he has two problem sons whose issues are different. The sons are not to be dismissed as either good or bad. Simply, they are like us – sinners.

Maybe we squander our time on worrying about or accumulating material things, rather than turning to and trusting in God – from whom all good things come (faith, hope, love, patience, compassion, mercy, forgiveness)

Maybe we try to lead a good, moral life – but sit in judgement on others rather than seeing Jesus’ face in all those we meet and loving our neighbour as ourselves.

The father loved both sons with all his heart, no matter what they did with their lives. Nothing they did could diminish his love for them. Our father lavishes us with love and is always waiting for us with open arms. Will we accept this invitation and ‘join in the celebration?’

Never doubt for a single moment the sustained love God has for us. It is perfect and constant and it never fails and never gives up.  Believing in this love can bring us hope, courage and peace.

Project Compassion

Our Mini Vinnies committee would like to report that so far we have raised $238 for our brothers and sisters in need. Thank you for your continuing support.