GOSPEL: LUKE 15: 1-32
YES I SHALL ARISE, AND RETURN TO MY FATHER
Dear friends,
Today’s gospel presents a shepherd rejoicing over finding a lost sheep, a housewife rejoicing over finding a lost coin, and a father rejoicing over the return of his lost son. The three parables are in answer to the Pharisees and Scribes complaints about Jesus, saying that he can’t be the Messiah because he welcomes sinners and eats with them. He is friends with them. He loves them. He is full of joy that they have come home to God. We are all sinners to a greater or lesser degree. We have all gone astray, got lost like the sheep and the coin in those stories, sometime or other. We are all in need of compassion, forgiveness, and love. In spite of our sins and stubbornness, Christ is willing to welcome us back to himself. Each day, He beckons us: “Come let us settle the matter, even though your sins are as red as crimson, you shall be as white as snow” (Is 1:18-19). Through his merciful and compassionate heart, He is ready to make all things new for us again. It does not matter what it will cost Him.
So, like the prodigal son, it is time to accept this invitation. It is time to return to the merciful and compassionate Lord. Sincerely, and humbly we must make a very important decision like the prodigal son: “I will leave this place and go back to my father.” We must not be ashamed to return to God our father because: “His steadfast love never ceases, and His mercy never comes to an end. They are new every morning, and great is His faithfulness” (Lam 3:22-23).
God Bless,
Rev. Father Frank Kyazze
