HE CAME TO HIS SENSES

PRAYER MOMENT

Saturday 22 March 2014

HE CAME TO HIS SENSES

Pause. Be still in the presence of Jesus with the scribes and Pharisees.

Reading: “Then he came to his senses. … ‘I will leave this place and go to my father and say: Father I have sinned against heaven and against you.’” (Luke 15: 1-3, 11-32)

Reflection. The “prodigal” son wastes his youth and “swallows up” his father’s property. He hits rock bottom and is desperate. He “comes to his senses” and realises what he has done and decides to take action. “I will arise and go to my father.” The father is looking out for him and welcomes him with joy. There is a celebration and the young man now becomes a completely new person. His eyes are open. From now on he will live in humility and gratitude, aware of his own frailty but also full of confidence and wisdom. He has been there. He knows. He has reached a maturity he couldn’t even dream of when he was young and foolish and only thinking of himself and the immediate satisfaction of his desires. He is a “new creation”, exactly what Jesus had come to proclaim.

Prayer. Lord, we see how you work in the story of the lost son. You want so much to heal and give life. “Lengthen” our hearts during this time of Lent to receive your forgiveness and healing. Amen.

David Harold-Barry SJ