Tax collectors and sinners were all drawing near to listen to Jesus,
but the Pharisees and scribes began to complain, saying,
“This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.”
So to them Jesus addressed this parable:
“A man had two sons, and the younger son said to his father,
‘Father give me the share of your estate that should come to me.’
So the father divided the property between them.
After a few days, the younger son collected all his belongings
and set off to a distant country
where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation.
When he had freely spent everything,
a severe famine struck that country,
and he found himself in dire need.
So he hired himself out to one of the local citizens
who sent him to his farm to tend the swine.
And he longed to eat his fill of the pods on which the swine fed,
but nobody gave him any.
Coming to his senses he thought,
‘How many of my father’s hired workers
have more than enough food to eat,
but here am I, dying from hunger.
I shall get up and go to my father and I shall say to him,
“Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you.
I no longer deserve to be called your son;
treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers.”’
So he got up and went back to his father.
While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him.
His son said to him,
‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you;
I no longer deserve to be called your son.’
But his father ordered his servants,
‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him;
put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet.
Take the fattened calf and slaughter it.
Then let us celebrate with a feast,
because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again;
he was lost, and has been found.’
Then the celebration began.
Now the older son had been out in the field
and, on his way back, as he neared the house,
he heard the sound of music and dancing.
He called one of the servants and asked what this might mean.
The servant said to him,
‘Your brother has returned
and your father has slaughtered the fattened calf
because he has him back safe and sound.’
He became angry,
and when he refused to enter the house,
his father came out and pleaded with him.
He said to his father in reply,
‘Look, all these years I served you
and not once did I disobey your orders;
yet you never gave me even a young goat to feast on with my friends.
But when your son returns
who swallowed up your property with prostitutes,
for him you slaughter the fattened calf.’
He said to him,
‘My son, you are here with me always;
everything I have is yours.
But now we must celebrate and rejoice,
because your brother was dead and has come to life again;
he was lost and has been found.'”
Note: I post these scriptures during Lent as an invitation for anyone to reflect a little more during these weeks leading Easter, to think and prepare ourselves to truly deepen our faith, and how we live it out. Yes, I write from my own Catholic identity, but I have tried very hard to make these posts an invitation to anyone who is Christian, or curious. How could posting scripture cause discord. No one forces you to read and participate here. Please allow others to share as they choose, in peace.
Amen; come Lord Jesus.
Our Father in heaven, we wander away, come back in repentance, and he puts his cloak on us with forgiveness, despite our sin.
Amen. So very thankful for His Mercy.
🙏
We are all lost sinners waiting to be found. It is a constant conversion.
The Good Shepherd leaves the 99, to find the one missing…we will be found, maybe one at a time.
“How could posting scripture cause discord. No one forces you to read and participate here.”
I am heartened by the aplomb of the pro-Christ warriors who directly engaged the Satanists (likely just yokels abused by fathers/uncles in youth, sadly) in Topeka, KS. Christus Vincit.
For three-quarters of a century, the “separation of church and state” ruse has been deployed to drive Christ from the public square. Having created this literally Godless vacuum, the “separation” contingent then sits mum while the acolytes of the Child Bride-Maker – whose own lands are toilets every square inch – invade the land that survived the Depression, won WWII, and parlayed that indomitable can-do spirit into a manned lunar landing. Buzz Aldrin took Communion on the moon after Neil Armstrong read from the Bible. Ave Christus Rex!
We’ve seen how in His absence Science becomes $cience, marriage becomes a profane sanctioning of hilariously fruitless efforts to fertilize fertilizer, and society goes to rot. We’re bringing Him back into the public square, with the only apology to Him for having so apathetically allowed Him to be driven away. With 2031 the 500th anniversary of Our Lady of Guadalupe and 2033 the 2000th anniversary of His Resurrection and Ascension, it’s coming. God bless you.
We can thank madelon Murray O’Hare for that. She and her atheist cohorts.
She wasn’t the only one. All statistics proclaim they can make society perfect without God and we are suffering the consequences.
Great minds think alike…was I was pondering the comment above and thought of her. We must stand strong in our faith as those like her on earth, seek to eliminate our faith. I wonder if she sought the Lord in her last moments…am hoping so for her sake.
Amen♡
Thank you Menagerie.
Thank you Menagerie.
The Word {Jesus} of God…
The same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
A Word about “sovereign” wealth…
“The silver is mine, and the gold is mine, says the LORD of hosts.”
Haggai 2:8
“What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and to lose his soul”
God
As for being “lost”…
“I can’t say that I was ever lost…
But I was bewildered once for three days.”
Daniel Boone
In God We Trust
Trust God
Fear not
“God is dead.” – Nietzsche
“Nietzsche is dead.” – God
👋👏👋👍
The prodigal son parable has a special meaning for me.. Probably because I am old enough to have played all three main characters..
I really like this comment! Yes!
Stroke, today I am adopting the 4th unseen character – the grandfather silently helping my son welcome his son back to the fold. It’s an awesome responsibility but I accept it and give praise to my Father who is always with me.
🙂
God bless you. I am honored to be old enough to guide my three granddaughters to Christ. It isn’t an easy task, but we must
All Glory to God for your repentance and desire to be saved. His grace is a gift He freely gives us…it is ours to lose. If you’ve given up something for Lent, the flip side of that is to replace it with prayer/meditation/scripture. Much to contemplate during this season of Lent as we look to Palm Sunday and all the events of that week. Imagine if there’d been no Resurrection…where would we be today?
Stroke,
Unfortunately, to my shame, I’ve been and still am (to an extent) the prodigal. I long to feel God’s hand back on me like I powerfully felt in 1980 when I was 21 years old. I was lured away though and it hurts so bad to know what I’d became and did for all these years.
Feelings follow actions. Take one small step toward God. He’ll overwhelm you with grace. He’s been waiting, calling, pursuing you.
This!
Resist the devil and he WILL flee. (That’s a real deal promise, not some speculation)
Now.. back to the prodigal son parable. Quote:
“..While he was still a long way off,
his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion.
He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him..”
Did you know this was a sort of an infamia in this day?
No man of means would be seen running to his wayward son in this culture.
But not the father in Jesus’ parable.
He RAN to meet his son. Hugged and kissed him in spite of the hog poop stench.
Why?
Because of his overwhelming love.
The son did not bring back the inheritance to his father.
He did nothing to restore the shame and gossip he brought to his father.
Dad didn’t care. When he saw that rebellious kid taking steps toward home..
It was time to celebrate.
Read Luke 15. Especially that part:
“I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven
over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”
Pope John Paul II suggested renaming the Parable of the Prodigal Son to the Parable of the Merciful Father, emphasizing God’s mercy and readiness to forgive.
He used this parable to explain the process of conversion and reconciliation, stating that God is “rich in mercy” and always ready to forgive.
In his writings, John Paul II explored the issues raised by this parable, highlighting the compassionate love and mercy of God.
Jesus I Trust in you.
It is easy to forget, but God’s mercy is infinite.
Thank You Menagerie.
One of my favorites if not the most favorite!
Thank you Menagerie, I love this💕
For Lent, and especially for Holy Week, Les Sept Paroles du Christ (The Seven Last Statements of Christ *) by French composer Theodore Dubois (1837-1924).
Composed in the 1850’s, it is one of the finest works for Lent: I grew up with it in my Catholic parish in Dayton, (an organ version), and have never lost my love for it.
Performed here – very well – by a Korean Catholic Choir and orchestra:
Part II:
* Usually mistranslated as “The Seven Last Words of Christ” – there are more than seven words in the text!
A translation of the Latin text (taken from the Bible) can be found here:
https://www.fbcmalden.org/about-us/special-events/seven-last-words-christ-theodore-dubois-1867/
Thank you, Glory to God in the higest!
Way to go M. I like it
Lovely sentiment Sundance !
Lessons from the New Testament are wonderful calls for reflection, pause, and concern.
Anyone afraid to “share” them is ignorant or being enticed by the Devil’s minions.
I especially challenge those who freak out and say “separate church and state!” that
the state is already thoroughly( and I mean thoroughly) separated from any church I know , and also most of the church is separated from reason (schisms galore!)
but the stories in the New Testament will live on, and inspire, and educate, and reform our baser natures way past our brief mortal tenures.
Rick,
Just a point by way of appreciation for your post:
This thread is graciously provided and posted for us by Menagerie.
Thanks and God bless.
The Jesus Prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy upon me, a sinner.
Merciful Lord,
absolve your people from their offences,
that through your bountiful goodness
we may all be delivered from the chains of those sins
which by our frailty we have committed;
grant this, heavenly Father,
for Jesus Christ’s sake, our blessed Lord and Saviour,
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for
ever. Amen🙏
During a retreat, a colleague i shared a room with said, “i need to say my prayers now, I hope that will not offend you.” I answered, “pray as loudly as you wish. Only demons are offended by prayer.”
One of my most favorite parables . . . thank you, Menagerie!
from The Collects for the Fourth Sunday in Lent:
“Grant, we beseech thee, Almighty God, that we, who for our evil deeds do worthily deserve to be punished, by the comfort of thy grace may mercifully be relieved; through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.”
The Keynote for this contemplation or meditation is ‘Expiation by Realization’, in this collect we meet with a very profound realization of this law of redemption, it is the workings of Divine Grace that lifts us out of evil; to humble ourselves in each of our struggles and acknowledge all salvation is through Divine Grace, that we need to ask and to be receptive to this blessing.
This painting by Christian artist, the late Frank Wesley of India, beautifully illustrates the Prodigal Son parable.
The son arrives so dirty, hungry, empty, repentant, in full unconditional surrender – and the Forgiving Merciful Father embraces him, despite his filth, in pure white holy garments – and restores the prodigal to full status of beloved son.
The horizontal and vertical elements in Wesley’s design, create an image of The Cross – forged for our healing and redemption by Christ’s suffering, blood, death and resurrection.
But for the Cross of Christ
-Bryan Fowler
Vs 1
What is the truth
That ever anchors me
Amidst the waves of all my guilt
That Christ has shed
His blood and pardoned me
At the cross, at the cross
Vs 2
He bore my sin
I bear His righteousness
Oh what a glorious exchange
The wrath of God
Laid on the spotless Lamb
Oh what grace, oh what grace
Chorus
Behold the cross
There is no greater love
Heaven’s Son
Laid down His life for us
Oh my soul would be lost
With no hope to find
But for the cross of Christ
Vs 3
How do I walk
With humble confidence
I look to Christ Who is my peace
He sealed my hope
And my inheritance
At the cross, at the cross
Vs 4
When I am weak
And stumble into sin
There is an ever-flowing stream
His cleansing blood revives my soul again
Oh what grace, oh what grace
Vs 5
One day I’ll stand
Before the King of Kings
One day I’ll see Him face to face
For Jesus rose
Death lost its bitter sting
Christ has won! Christ has won!
The Fourth Sunday of Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian Church commemorates Saint John, the author of “The Ladder of Divine Ascent” who lived at Mount Sinai. He is also known as Saint John Climacos.
The coming Fifth Week will include the Great Canon of Saint Andrew of Crete and the reading of the Life of Saint Mary of Egypt.
I look forward to these posts.
Eternally thankful for a loving Father who is forgiving and merciful.
A Hollywood tune that always warms my heart….
“I will be Your humble servant and Your love is my reward”…
“His armor was devotion and the Gospel was his sword”…
One more…from a more tolerant age…yet elegant.
A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. KJ…John 13:34.
Amen, amen.
Yes.
Sorry I feel for the good son
I think we all do! I know I do.
I can see both sides when reading this Scripture. And I think that is part of the Lord’s teaching through His Word — to see both sides.
Considering that the Lord, His Son, and His Holy Spirit can see “all” of an infinite number of “sides”, I believe (and am not a minister or theologian in any fashion), that that is part of what we are being taught, if we’ll read and listen.
A big, big part of learning to truly love one another is to realize there’s stuff we don’t know about why the other person may be doing or saying whatever. The Lord and His Son know. So we are taught to be firm in what’s right, but be kind. My opinion only.
Menagerie, thank you so much for these. I’ve enjoyed them, and been blessed by them, for years.
God loves us all❤️
Thank you so much for sharing that parable, Menagerie.
That one really hits close to home for me, personally.
I have a relative that wouldn’t come home for his mother’s funeral. I pray he comes around and sees the error of his ways. Alas, using past performance as a gauge. I don’t see that happening.
Thank God, literally.
Despite our blunders and faults– we are still welcomed! 🙏💕
Thumbs down for this inappropriate post.
Best Laetare Sunday to all.
Yes, rejoice!
Menagerie, Every Christian holiday your posts provide a thoughtful blessing to those of us so inclined.
But it makes me very sad that you now have to always include what should be an obvious caveat.
In his Name and to his Holy Service.
I still remember a sermon I heard thirty years ago or more, where the message was that, just as the father in the parable rushes out to embrace his returning son, so too does God await our turning to Him, when He too shall rush to meet and embrace us. He is always awaiting our turning to Him. Amen.
To those who decry Hollywood’s lack of decent films, I offer up “The Prodigal Son” scene from Franco Zeffirelli’s mini series masterpiece, “Jesus of Nazareth”.
No set up is necessary.
What joy i experienced early one morning years ago when Jesus revealed to me that when He said
“Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing” from the cross that I was forgiven once and for all time
for my sins. That i was a forgiven person. Hallelujah.
Good afternoon Boogywstew. Thank you for this video. It has brought grateful tears. Have a blessed day.
I thought this filmed version was particularly hard hitting with the Apostles listening at the doorway and refusing to come inside and everyone inside recognizing their own place as prodigal sons. I would have always claimed “The Prodigal Son” as my favorite Parable but seeing it filmed this way has endeared it to me , ever so much more.
You can watch all 6 hours of “Jesus of Nazareth”, absolutely free, online. It is uniformly wonderful !
I do read Menagerie’s Lent series for reflection. I usually don’t comment on them though. I enjoy reading them.
Amen. Went to see “The Chosen- The Last Supper ” first 2 episodes of Season 5 in the theater – We took my non-believing 80 yr old parents with us as they’d really enjoyed the earlier episodes they’d seen. Been praying and continue to pray for God to soften and open their hearts. Definitely a step closer after those two episodes and they want to go to the next episodes in the theater next Friday.
To read the words shared here powerful – to see it “acted” out with heart and mind is amazing. The show has a wonderful way of weaving information and history into the show. I highly recommend seeing it! God Bless everyong and keep America and our POTUS safe
Hello Crystal, I saw the first 2 episodes yesterday afternoon as well and will be going on Friday to see the next 3 episodes. It’s going to be amazing seeing Holy Week depicted in this wonderful series. Frankly, it’s astonishing to see
the impact that the series The Chosen has made. Ditto for the popular prayer/meditation app Hallow has been (I use it daily). It is making such a positive difference in peoples lives.
I attend Mass regularly (same Mass time, same pew – big surprise, don’t all of us? LOL). I started chatting before Mass to a woman I would see weekly and we’ve become friendly. She brought her elderly mother to Mass with her a few weeks ago and introduced me. This past weekend, I mentioned that my daughter and her family have come back to the Catholic Church and will be getting their marriage blessed and will be baptizing her two sons this year. I mentioned that after many years of prayer to God, Jesus, and for the intercession of Our Blessed Mother and Saint Monica, my daughter has made her way back to Christ through the Catholic Church (Praise God!).
This woman I met, said she had wanted to tell me something……after 35 years away from the Church (and many many years of her mother praying for this), she’s returned.
Prayer works. Not in our time, but in God’s.
“….Lord, I believe; help my unbelief!” – Mark 9:24
One other comment – The Chosen series is THE ONLY production that has gotten me back to the movie theaters.
Pretty much everything else that comes on the big screen for quite a while has been pure garbage that I’ve been unwilling to shell out any $$
Reading this reminds me of my asking God for help with my chronic alcoholism in 1988.
I found myself in a treatment center 3 weeks later, and I have remained sober, through my daily relationship with God and through AA, which I regard as an instrument of God.
I had lived a life of sin and squandered my God-given gifts, but I repented and asked Him for help.
As we say in AA, God does not make harsh terms with those who earnestly seek His help.
Excellent!
I stopped drinking on 1-1-00 and now have 25 years, plus, enjoying being sober. You are 12 years beyond that!
And God Bless you both!
Thank you Menagerie. It is a lovely parable.
The responsorial psalm for today’s readings says it all: Taste and see the goodness of the Lord.
Thank you, Menagerie!
This year the resurrection occurs on Wednesday April 16, since Passover is on April 13, the 14th of Nisan.
think about the strength that the knowledge of your forgiveness gives you. puts a smile on your face.
Thank you Menagerie. Wonderful scripture and a great lesson in humility. I don’t think you even needed to bother with “How could posting scripture cause discord?” It almost sounds like an apology which is really not necessary. You did good.
Post away, does us all good to hear Christian thoughts IMO