LAETARE SUNDAY

Today was called Laetare Sunday, from the Latin word for “Rejoice.” The readings invite us to trust in God’s mercy and forgiveness. We hear one of the most beautiful stories in the Bible, the Parable of the Prodigal Son which is so familiar to us that we feel it has nothing more to say to us. The parable has a profound message for us. For years the focus of the parable was on the prodigal son until more recently the focus on the parable has been on the forgiving God.

The story focuses more on the father than on either of the 2 sons. The father is the main character in the story who not only has 2 sons but loves both. And we are like both of the 2 sons who have offended God and needed His forgiveness. We may enter into the spirit of repentance and avail the Sacrament of Reconciliation. God the Father is telling us that His love and forgiveness is deeper and broader than our human expectations can conceive. We are His Beloved Sons and Daughters. Amen!
                                                                     Reverend Jimmy B. Hababag