March 30, 2025

Fourth Sunday of Lent

Year C Readings

Lectionary 33

Joshua 5:9-12; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Luke 15:1-3,11-32

Meditation

Today’s second reading is also used in the Mass in honor of Our Lady of La Salette and is very dear to the heart of La Salette Missionaries. It describes our mission perfectly. “We are ambassadors for Christ as if God were appealing through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.”

The story of the Prodigal Son in the Gospel illustrates how reconciliation comes about. The destitute son needs what his father can provide, so he humbles himself and begs for it. But the father needs something, too. He needs his son to be well, happy, and safe. So, given the opportunity, he makes that happen, welcoming him home—and with what a welcome!

We cannot be reconciled to God without wanting to, without needing to. Our reasons mustn’t be perfect, but we must humble ourselves before him. Then, we discover that reconciliation has always been there, just waiting for us to accept it. We also find that the Father intensely desires our return at that moment. We can say that he needs it, too.

This reality is reflected in the Sacrament of Penance, commonly known today as the Sacrament of Reconciliation. In it, we find that the Father is prepared to welcome us when we are ready to return.

There are two other parables before the story of the Prodigal Son. They are the Lost Sheep and the Lost Coin. Both end by saying how much joy there is in heaven when a sinner repents.

The older son, now the sole heir, has nothing to lose by his brother’s return, but he has not desired or needed this reconciliation. It doesn’t make sense to him; it seems unfair.

Sometimes, reconciliation requires retribution, the making of amends. But these are two different things. Reconciliation is less about justice than about relationships. The Prodigal Son has lost his position as the legal heir, but his vital relationship with his father is restored.

Everything about La Salette concerns that vital relationship. Be reconciled to God!