Friday, March 17, 2006
Saturday 2nd week of Lent
March 18, 2006
Saturday 2nd week of Lent - Yr II
MICAH 7:14-15, 18-20
Shepherd your people with your staff, the flock of your inheritance,
That dwells apart in a woodland, in the midst of Carmel. Let them feed
in Bashan and Gilead, as in the days of old; As in the days when you
came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs. Who is there like
you, the God who removes guilt and pardons sin for the remnant of his
inheritance; Who does not persist in anger forever, but delights rather
in clemency, And will again have compassion on us, treading underfoot
our guilt? You will cast into the depths of the sea all our sins; You
will show faithfulness to Jacob, and grace to Abraham, As you have
sworn to our fathers from days of old.
LUKE 15:1-3, 11-32
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.'"
REFLECTION
We have often used "shepherd" as a description of the leaders in our
church. We go to these "shepherds" for consultation and advice
especially when we need guidance. These "shepherds" provide us with
direction and guide us on our path to God.
Today's story of the prodigal son reminds us that whether we are like
the younger son who decides to venture out on his own, or the older son
who remains with the Father, we must keep in mind to do whatever we can
to follow God's will for us. For as we do our part, we reflect God's
forgiveness when we forgive others, and reflect God's love when we show
love for others. In doing so, we fulfill part of God's plan for us and
we become better disciples of Christ.
PRAYER REQUESTS
We pray -
- for a deep and profound respect for life, especially for the
unborn.
- healings for MR, BB, Carol, Fr Steve D, and Peggy O.
- for the quick recovery / healing of Amalia Lim.
- for the sisterhood and brotherhood love of CFC-SA.
- for the safe travel of Tess Lumbao.
- for all the prayer intentions in the MTQ Dailyprayer Diary.
- Wedding Anniversary: Mr. & Mrs. Ng Meng Tam
- In Memoriam (+): Paul Sim Sr. (Jan 4, 1914-Mar 17, 1987)
- for world peace and reconciliation.
Finally, we pray for one another, for those who have asked our
prayers and for those who need our prayers the most.
Have a good day!
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