BEADS OF JOY 09-11-16
“So Much Lost -But All Found”
©2016 James Dacey, Jr. OFS
My Friends,
Today’s Gospel: Luke 5:1-32 (So Much Lost -But
All Found)
“Now the tax collectors and sinners were all
drawing near to hear him. And the Pharisees and the scribes murmured, saying,
"This man receives sinners and eats with them." So he told them this
parable: "What man of you, having a hundred sheep, if he has lost one of them, does not leave the
ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost, until he
finds it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And
when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to
them, `Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost.' Just so, I
tell you, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than
over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance. "Or what woman,
having ten silver coins, if she loses
one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently
until she finds it? And when she has found it, she calls together her friends
and neighbors, saying, `Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had
lost.' Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.And he said, "There was a man who had two sons; and the younger of them said to his father, `Father, give me the share of property that falls to me.' And he divided his living between them. Not many days later, the younger son gathered all he had and took his journey into a far country, and there he squandered his property in loose living. And when he had spent everything, a great famine arose in that country, and he began to be in want. So he went and joined himself to one of the citizens of that country, who sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would gladly have fed on the pods that the swine ate; and no one gave him anything. But when he came to himself he said, `How many of my father's hired servants have bread enough and to spare, but I perish here with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and I will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants."' And he arose and came to his father. But while he was yet at a distance, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 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.' 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; and bring the fatted calf and kill it, and let us eat and make merry; for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to make merry.
Now his elder son was in the field; and as he came and drew near to the house, he heard music and dancing. And he called one of the servants and asked what this meant. And he said to him, `Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fatted calf, because he has received him safe and sound.' But he was angry and refused to go in. His father came out and entreated him, but he answered his father, `Lo, these many years I have served you, and I never disobeyed your command; yet you never gave me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends. But when this son of yours came, who has devoured your living with harlots, you killed for him the fatted calf!' And he said to him, `Son, you are always with me, and all that is mine is yours. It was fitting to make merry and be glad, for this your brother was dead, and is alive; he was lost, and is found.'"
Reflection:
Wow. Today is one power packed gospel, chock full of way too much to talk about. But the gem is The Parable of The Prodigal Son. A son who was full of contempt and pride forcing division within his family; returns finding mercy and forgiveness and restoration as the family unites and celebrates. When Jesus tells a parable it’s always a story about something we need to understand and learn. Here the prodigal son is (all of us) and the father the son returns to, is Almighty God. It’s a vivid picture but we can see it. Look at the character of God towards the returning son (His child) who was ungrateful and demanding. Upon his return there was NO Judgment, NO slander, NO reprimand, NO hardship! ONLY LOVE!!
Can we learn of His love? Can we love our children and others with His love? This father never lost hope, nor has he ever given up, that his son would return to him. As our Lord continues to hope, never giving up on us, that all of us would return our love and faith and lives to Him and return home. Do you know the kind of love Jesus and God the Father have to offer us? It's far beyond anything we could ever imagine. It is deeper and more sincere and more loving than any love we could ever receive in this life. God the Father will never hold anything against us. His love is the purest and most giving of all. When He welcomes us “home” it will be with open arms and an open heart full of generosity and kindness and forgiveness that will shower us with so much Joy. All of our needs will be fulfilled and He will love us unconditionally for all eternity.
What did the prodigal son realize and learn while he was away? A great deal indeed. He returned humble and even said how he would speak to his father saying, “Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you; I am no longer worthy to be called your son; treat me as one of your hired servants." This son (a child of God) was repenting in the deepest most humiliating way. He openly admitted his sin and guilt; doing all he can to reconcile with his father. There is no way he would have ever imagined the response his father gave him. Just as Almighty God gives each one of us, every time we turn to Him and ask for forgiveness in confession. Jesus wants all of us to “return home” and be the daughters and sons he has always wanted us to be. While some walk off with worldly wealth with Almighty behind them; our Lord stands in hope of their return to His arms. Transform your hearts my sisters and brothers, love Jesus above all things, don’t get caught up in the swine and mud of this worlds pleasures. It will only distract you and keep you away from the Father. He is waiting for you, waiting and hoping for your return. His arms are open. Love you guys. More to come tomorrow, but you already knew that.
The Parable of The Lost Sheep
The Parable of The Lost Coin
The Parable of The Prodigal Son
LOVE YOU GUYS !!!!
Your brother in Christ Jesus
And His Most Blessed Mother,
Jim (The Rosary Man) Dacey Jr OFS
**(NEW DAILY FEATURE)
Today is Sunday: We pray the Glorious Mysteries:
The Glorious Mysteries
1. The Resurrection (Faith) –Mark 16:1-8
2. The Ascension (Hope) –Luke 24:50-53
3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit (Love) –Acts 2:1-4
4. The Assumption of Our Lady
(Grace of a Happy Death) –Rev 12:1-6
5. The Coronation of Mary (Mary’s intercession) –Judith 15:9-10
Rosary Man Jim's Glorious Reflections: http://beads-of-joy-blog.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-glorious-mysteries.html
