Our prayer we never say "through the Holy Spirit," but rather "through Jesus Christ, your Son. our Lord."

earlier: A WORD IN SEASON

Monastic Lectionary For The Divine Office 

Exordium Bools 1982

Fourth Week of Lent Year I  Monday

Jewish High Priesthttp
://achristianpilgrim.wordpress.com/2012/02/10/christ-ever-living-to-intercede-for-us/

First Reading From the letter to the Hebrews (7:11-28)

Responsory      Psalm 100:4; see Hebrews 7:17

The Lord has sworn an oath he will not retract:

- You are a priest for ever in the line of Melchizedek.

Melchizedek was the first to offer sacrifice to God.

- You are a priest for ever in the line of Melchizedek.

Second Reading

From a letter by Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe (Ep. 14, 36-37: CCL 91, 429-431)

This extract from a letter written early in the sixth century by a writer who has been called the best (Western) theologian of his time, teaches that it is through Christ that we make our prayer and offer our sacrifice because it is his sacrificial death that has made our offering acceptable to God the Father. The way we conclude our prayers shows the equality of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

Notice that at the conclusion of our prayer we never say "through the Holy Spirit," but rather "through Jesus Christ, your Son. our Lord." Through the mystery of the incarnation Jesus Christ became man, the mediator between God and men. He is a priest for ever according to the order of Melchizedek. By shedding his own blood he entered once and for all into the Holy Place. He did not enter a place made by human hands, a mere type of the true one; he entered heaven itself. where he is at God's right hand interceding for us. Quite correctly, the Church continues to reflect this mystery in her prayer.

It was in regard to Christ's high-priestly office that the apostle Paul said: Through him, then, let us always offer the sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of lips that profess belief in his name. We were once enemies of the Father, but have been reconciled through the death of Christ Through him then we offer our sacrifice of praise, our prayer to God. He became our offering to the Father, and through him our offering is now acceptable. It is for this reason that the apostle Peter urges us to be built up as living stones into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices pleasing to God through Jesus Christ; and that is why we offer prayer to God our Father through Jesus Christ our Lord.

When we speak of Christ's priesthood, what else do we mean but the incarnation. by means of which the Son of God, though his state was divine, emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave? As a slave, he humbled himself and in obedience even accepted death. Though he possessed equality with the Father, he became a little less than the angels. Always equal to the Father, the Son became a little less because he became a man Christ lowered himself when he emptied himself to assume the condition of a slave. It was precisely this self-emptying, this acceptance of a servile condition. that made him a little less than the angels.

By this condition Christ, the only Son of God, became a priest, though he continued to be God by nature. To him with the Father we offer our sacrifice. Yet it is through him as our priest that the sacrifice we now offer is holy, living, and pleasing to God. Indeed, if Christ had not sacrificed himself for us, we could not offer any sacrifice, for it is in him that our human nature becomes a redemptive offering. When we offer our prayers through him. the eternal priest, we profess our faith that he is truly our flesh and blood. Clearly the Apostle refers to this when he says: Every high priest is taken from among men. He is appointed to act on their behalf in their relationship to God; he is to offer gifts and sacrifices to God.

We do not, however, only say "your Son" when we conclude our prayer. We also say "who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit" In this way we commemorate the natural unity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit It is clear, then, that the Christ who exercises a priestly role on our behalf is the same Christ who enjoys a natural unity and equality with the Father and the Holy Spirit

Responsory     Hebrews 4:15.14

Let us approach the throne of grace with perfect confidence;

- there we shall receive mercy

and find grace to help us in time of need.

We do not have a high priest

who is incapable of understanding our weakness.

- There we shall ...

SAINT QUOTE OF THE DAY

Quote from:
Saint Fulgentius of Ruspe 
"For the cup we drink is a participation in the blood of Christ, and the bread we break is a participation in the body of Christ. Because there is one loaf, we who are many are one body, since we all share the same bread. And so we pray that, by the same grace which made the Church Christ's body, all its members may remain firm in the unity of that body through the enduring bond of love."


http://faithofthefatherssaintquote.blogspot.co.uk/2010/12/saint-quote-saint-fulgentius-of-ruspe.html#.UUDjRRyePk0

Excerpted from Christ the Life of the Soul, Dom Marmion.

 Lent: March 13th  

 Wednesday of the Fourth Week of Lent

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Confidence and Union with God in Temptation
Nothing is more efficacious against temptation than the remembrance of the Cross of Jesus. What did Christ come to do here below if not to "destroy the works of the devil"? And how has He destroyed them, how has He "cast out" the devil, as He Himself says, if not by His death upon the Cross?

Let us then lean by faith upon the cross of Christ Jesus, as our baptism gives us the right to do. The virtue of the cross is not exhausted. In baptism we were marked with the seal of the cross, we became members of Christ, enlightened by His light, and partakers of His life and of the salvation He brings to us. Hence, united to Him, whom shall we fear? Dominus illuminatio mea et salus mea; quern timebo? Let us say to ourselves: "He hath given His angels charge over thee to keep thee in all thy ways."

"Because he hoped in Me (says the Lord) I will deliver him; I am with him in tribulation, I will deliver him, and I will glorify him. I will fill him with length of days, and I will show him My salvation."

Excerpted from Christ the Life of the Soul, Dom Marmion.

News

Maredsous Abbey

Dom Marmion 

English translations currently in print

• Christ, the Life of the Soul. A new translation by Alan Bancroft. Introduction by Dom Mark Tierney, O.S.B. (European Vice-Postulator of Marmion's Beatification Cause); Foreword by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. Published by Zaccheus Press (Bethesda, Md., 2005) (ISBN 978-0-9725981-5-6) in North America, and by Gracewing (Leominster, UK, 2005) (ISBN 978-0-85244-656-0) outside North America.

• Christ in His Mysteries. A new translation by Alan Bancroft. Introduction by Aidan Nichols, O.P.; Foreword by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, C.F.R. Published by Zaccheus Press (Bethesda, Md., 2008) (ISBN 978-0-9725981-9-4) in North America, and by Gracewing (Leominster, UK, Feb. 2010) (ISBN 978-0-85244-735-2) outside North America. Both publishers' editions are available in Australasia.

• Christ the Ideal of the Monk. Reprint of the Mother Mary St. Thomas translation. Published by Roman Catholic Books (Ridgefield, Conn., circa 2005) (ISBN 0-9742098-1-3).

• Christ the Ideal of the Priest. Reprint of the Dom Matthew Dillon translation, with adaptations made by Rev. David L. Toups, S.T.D. Published by Ignatius Press (San Francisco, 2005) (ISBN 978-1-58617-014-1) in North America, and by Gracewing (Leominster, UK, 2006) (ISBN 978-0-85244-657-7) in the United Kingdom.

• Union with God: Letters of Spiritual Direction by Blessed Columba Marmion. Reprint of the Mother Mary St. Thomas translation, with an Introduction by Rev. David L. Toups, S.T.D. Published by Zaccheus Press (Bethesda, Md., 2006) (ISBN 978-0-9725981-6-3).

• Columba Marmion: Correspondance 1881–1923. Edited by Mark Tierney, R.-Ferdinand Poswick, and Nicolas Dayez. (Paris: François-Xavier de Guibert. 2008).

References: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columba_Marmion

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Stational Church

The Station today is at St. Paul without-the-walls. On this day the catechumens were subjected to a new examination and, if approved, were registered for Baptism. The beginning of the four Gospels was read to them, and the Creed and the Our Father was "given," or explained to them. Today's Mass has a decided Baptismal character. The joys of this day were anticipated on Laetare Sunday.

Mass of Holy Spirit for Conclave - Night Office

White smoke rises from the chimney above the Sistine Chapel in the

 4th Tues Lent, Conclave on

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: Nivard  ...
Sent: Tuesday, 12 March 2013, 10:16
Subject: 4th Tues Lent, Conclave on

Magnificat Adapted, 4 Tues (12 Mar 13):

“Do you want to be well?”

Scripture:  Jn 5:1-3, 1-16

“Do you want to be well?” “The Lord of hosts is with us; the ‘God of Jacob is our stronghold.” Jesus commands:”Pick up your sleeping-mat and walk.” We wait by the waters of Christ’s open side from which a river flows that gives life to every living creature.

Do we want to be well? Let us drink deeply from the well of love that flows from the side of Jesus.

We remember especially the Cardinals that they may be filled with the Holy Spirit and listen to his voice.

Father, put within our hearts a burning desire to be changed, healed and transformed in your holiness. Let your Holy Spirit change our hearts and renew us in your love and faithfulness, through Christ our Lord." 

               *******************

Thanks Jo for Jerusalem update. Here glorious sunshine with deep frost. Praise the Lord.

Yours ...

Nivard

> > > > > > >

Night Office
Bl. Columba Marmion 2nd Reading. (First Reading: Hebrews)
This selected passage from Dom Marmion is very interesting in the comparaive translations.
See the parallels below.
Comment on the sources.

A WORD IN SEASON

Readings for the Liturgy of the Hours

 II 

Lent

Easter Triduum 

Years I and IT

New Edition  AUGUSTINIAN PRESS 2001  

+ + +  

earlier: A WORD IN SEASON

Monastic Lectionary For The Divine Office 

Exordium  Books 1982

 (Le Christ dans ses mysteres, 440-442) translation from the 2001 Edition. Question of translator...

Christ in His Mysteries London  1939,translated by M.M. St. Thomas of Tyburn Convent.

It can be puzzling. Dom Raymund Thibaut OSB has edited other selections of Marmion, eg. ''Word on the Margin of the Misssal", and varies in lines.

The main feature in Mother M M. St. Thomas's translation is the invaluable text of Latin References.

Second Reading From the writings of Blessed Columba Marmion, O.S.B. (Le Christ dans ses mysteres, 440-442) Translation from French text.

MARMION. CHRIST IN HIS MYTERIES ... AND NOW, FATHER, GLORIFY THY SON pp.319-320

The anchor of hope Christ, the supreme high priest of the human race, having conferred on us a legal title, bears us up with him in hope to heaven. We must never forget that it is only through him that we can gain entrance there. No human being can penetrate the holy of holies except with him; no creature can enjoy eternal happiness except in the wake of Jesus; it is his precious merits that win us infinite bliss. For all eternity we shall say to him, "Because of you, Jesus Christ, because of the blood you shed for us, we stand before God's face. It is your sacrifice, your immolation, that wins our every moment of glory and happiness. To you, the Lamb that was slain, be all honor and praise and thanks­giving!" In this interval of time until Christ comes to fetch us as he promised, he is preparing a place for us, and above all he is sup­porting us by his prayer. Indeed, what is our high priest doing in heaven? The Letter to the Hebrews gives the answer: he has entered heaven in order to stand now in God's presence on our behalf. His priesthood is eternal, and therefore eternal too is his work as mediator. How infinitely powerful is his influence! There he stands before his Father, unceasingly offering him that sacrifice recalled by the marks of the wounds he has voluntarily retained; there he stands, alive for ever, ever interceding for us. As high priest he is unfailingly heard, and for our sake he speaks again the priestly prayer of the last supper: Father, it is for them that I pray they are in the world ... guard those whom you have given me I pray for them, that they may have in themselves the fullness of joy ... Father, I will that they may be with me where I am. How could these sublime truths of our faith fail to inspire us with unwavering confidence? People of scanty faith though we are, what have we to fear? And what may we not hope for? Jesus is praying for us, and praying always. Let us then trust absolutely in the sacrifice, the merits and the prayer of our high priest. He is the beloved Son in whom the Father delights; how could he be refused a hearing, after showing his Father such love? Father, look upon your Son. Through him and in him grant us to be one day where he is, so that through him and with him and in him we may also render to you all honour and glory.

[On the day of His Ascension,] Christ, the supreme High Priest of the human race, took us with Him into heaven, by right and in hope. Never forget that it is only through Him that we can enter there; no man can enter into the Holy of holies except with Him; no creature can enjoy eternal bliss except by following Jesus: it was His merits that won for us infinite beatitude. Throughout eternity, we shall say to Him: O Christ Jesus, it is through You, through Your Blood shed for us, that we are before the Face of God ; it is Your sacrifice, Your immo­lation, that has gained for us each instant of our glory and beatitude: to You, O Lamb slain for us, be all honour, all praise, all thanksgiving! Whilst awaiting that Christ Jesus will come to take us to Himself, as He promised, He is preparing us a place, and above all He aids us by His prayers. St. Paul tells us that He has entered into Heaven, "that He may appear now in the presence of God for us " Ut appareat NUNC vultui Dei pro nobis".*3 His priesthood is eternal. And what infinite power in His mediation! He is there before His Father unceasingly presenting to Him His sacrifice, recalled by the marks of His Wounds which He was willed to retain. . He is there "always living [I. Hebr, IX, 8. - 2. Col. 11, 14. - 3. Hebr. IX, 24] to make intercession for us " : Semper vivens ad interpellandum pro nobis1• A High Priest Who is always heard, He repeats for us the sacerdotal prayer of the Last Supper: "Holy' Father, keep them in Thy Name whom Thou hast given Me ... that they may have My joy filled in themselves ... Father, I will that where I am, they also whom Thou hast given Me may be with Me; that they may see My glory which Thou hast given Me... that the love wherewith Thou hast loved Me, may be in them, and I in them."*2 How can these sublime truths of our faith fail to give rise within us to an unshakable confidence? Souls of little faith, what can we fear? What is there we may not hope? Jesus is praying for us, always. As St. Paul says, if the blood . of animal-victims purified the flesh of those who were sprinkled with it, " how much more shall the Blood of Christ, Who ... offered Himself unspotted unto God, cleanse our conscience from dead works to serve the Living God *3? Let us, then, have absolute confidence in the sacrifice, the merits and the prayer of our High Priest. He has entered to-day into the heavens; He inaugurates, with His triumph, His unceasing mediation ; He is the beloved Son in Whom the Father is well pleased ; how can He fail to be heard, after having manifested by His Sacrifice such love to His Father? Exauditus est pro sua reverentias. *4 O Father, look upon Thy Son; look upon His Wounds:  Respice in jaciem Christi tui; and by Him, in Him, grant us to be one day where He is, so that also by Him, in Him and with Him, we may render Thee all honour and all glory I [I. Ibid. VII. 25. See above p. 86 and following pages concerning the oblation of Christ in Heaven. - 2. Joan. XVII, 11. x3. 24. 26. - 3. Hebr. IX, x3-x4. ­,.. Ibid. v, 7. ]

Go home your son will live. Jn. 4:50

Monday of the Fourth Week in Lent
Go home, your son will live. (Jn 4:50) ....

Monday of the Fourth week of LentMonday, 11 March 2013

Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ according to Saint John 4:43-54. Now there was a royal official whose son was ill in Capernaum.

The Gospel of John: a commentary & meditation 

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Jesus rescues a court official's son

http://www.rc.net/wcc/words.htm 

Scripture:  John 4:43-54

Pool of Nahal David in the Judean wilderness
, Ein Gedi, Israel

43 After the two days he departed to Galilee. 44 For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. 45 So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him, having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast, for they too had gone to the feast. 46 So he came again to Cana in Galilee, where he had made the water wine. And at Caper'na-um there was an official whose son was ill. 47 When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee, he went and begged him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. 48 Jesus therefore said to him, "Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe." 49 The official said to him, "Sir, come down before my child dies."     http://www.rc.net/wcc/art/gallery2.htm    50 Jesus said to him, "Go; your son will live." The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. 51 As he was going down, his servants met him nd told him that his son was living. 52 So he asked them the hour when he began to mend, and they said to him, "Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him." 53 The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, "Your son will live"; and he himself believed, and all his household. 54 This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.
Meditation: Do you approach the Lord Jesus with expectant faith for healing, pardon, and transformation in Christ-like holiness? Jesus’ miracles are signs that manifest the presence and power of God’s kingdom. When a high ranking official, who was very likely from King Herod's court, heard the reports of Jesus’ preaching and miracles, he decided to seek Jesus out for an extraordinary favor. If this story happened today the media headlines would probably say: "High ranking official leaves capital in search of miracle cure from a small town carpenter."
It took raw courage for a high ranking court official to travel twenty miles in search of Jesus, the Galilean carpenter. He had to swallow his pride and put up with some ridicule from his cronies. And when he found the healer carpenter, Jesus seemed to put him off with the blunt statement that people would not believe unless they saw some kind of miracle or sign from heaven. Jesus likely said this to test the man to see if his faith was in earnest. If he turned away discouraged or irritated, he would prove to be insincere. Jesus, perceiving his faith, sent him home with the assurance that his prayer had been heard. It was probably not easy for this man to leave Jesus and go back home only with the assuring word that his son would be healed. Couldn't Jesus have come to this man's home and touched his dying child? The court official believed in Jesus and took him at his word without doubt or hesitation. He was ready to return home and face ridicule and laughter because he trusted in Jesus' word. God's mercy shows his generous love – a love that bends down in response to our misery and wretchedness. Is there any area in your life where you need healing, pardon, change, and restoration? If you seek the Lord with trust and expectant faith, he will not disappoint you. He will meet you more than half way and give you what you need. The Lord Jesus never refused anyone who put their trust in him. Surrender your doubts and fears, your pride and guilt at his feet, and trust in his saving word and healing love.
"Lord Jesus, your love never fails and your mercy is unceasing. Give me the courage to surrender my stubborn pride, fear and doubts to your surpassing love, wisdom and knowledge. Make be strong in faith, persevering in hope, and constant in love."

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Go to | Gospel of John | Daily Readings & Meditations | Words of Life | 

Danielou on Melchizedek

http://bibleencyclopedia.com/nasbslides/hebrews/7-17.htm 

Fourth Sunday of Lent Year I

Night Office

First Reading Hebrews 7:1-11

                                                      Responsory   See Gn 14:18; Heb 7:3; Ps 110:5; Heb 7:16

Melchizedek, the king of Salem, offered bread and wine. He was a priest of God Most High like Christ the Son of God, + to whom the Lord has sworn an oath:

V. You are a priest for ever, of the order of Melchizedek. He became a priest, not in virtue of a law concerning physical descent, but by the power of an indestructible life. + To whom the ...

Second Reading From the writings of — Cardinal Jean Daniélou, S.J. (Le mystère de l’Avent, 60-66)

The priesthood of Melchizedek

Meeting of Abraham and Melchizedek
 by Dieric Bouts the Elder, 1464–67

When Abraham inaugurated sacred history by leaving Haran in response to the call of God and arriving in Canaan, he was greeted by a mysterious personage about whom the sum of our knowledge is contained in two verses of the book of Genesis: Melchizedek, king of Salem and priest of the most high God, brought bread and wine and gave his blessing to Abraham, saying: May Abraham be blessed by the most high God, who made heaven and earth.

This mysterious character assumes a major importance for biblical thought. The hundred and tenth psalm sees in his priesthood the symbol and type of the Messianic priesthood: You are a priest for ever, after the order of Melchizedek. The New Testament invests Melchizedek with outstanding significance, declaring through the writer to the Hebrews that he remains a priest for ever. What is more, the same author pronounces the priesthood of Melchizedek to be superior to the priesthood of the Levites, because the latter was only provisional and would be rendered obsolete by the coming of Christ, whereas Melchizedek's priesthood is eternal. This priesthood of Melchizedek's therefore was a prefiguration of the priesthood of Christ, the true high priest, who has entered the tabernacle as our forerunner, having been made high priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. The correspondence lies in the fact that Melchizedek's priesthood was established not in accordance with the legal requirements of physical descent, but according to the power of an indestructible life. That is why Melchizedek resembles the Son of God.

Although the covenant between God and Abraham marked a new stage and a step forward in God's plan, it may also appear in some respects as if it were a step backward. Based on a covenant made with all the nations, the religion of Melchizedek embraced the whole human race, whereas the covenant with Abraham was confined to a single people. It marked a narrowing of scope which, while admittedly of a provisional nature, would exclude the gentile nations from the new covenant for nineteen hundred years.

The priesthood of Melchizedek was not the privilege of a special caste; his was a sacrifice every human being can offer, for all are priests of the natural creation. "Melchizedek had not been chosen by men," wrote Eusebius, "nor anointed with man-made oil." In Israel, on the contrary, the carrying out of religious rites was to become the exclusive prerogative of one tribe, the tribe of Levi, and members of other tribes were to be debarred from the ministry. The sacrifice of Melchizedek was not restricted to a particular place; it could be offered any­where on earth.

It is clear then that in many respects the Christian liturgy more nearly resembles the worship of Melchizedek than that of the Levites. Now we begin to see why Paul set Melchizedek above Abraham. Melchizedek can well be regarded as the figure, imperfect it is true but reflecting the likeness, of him who was destined to be high priest according to the order of Melchizedek.

                                                                                               Responsory       Heb 5:5-6; 7:21

Christ did not take upon himself the honour of becoming high priest; he received it from the One who said to him: + You are a priest for ever, a priest like Melchizedek of old.

Sister Evelyn Glynn, OCSO, was born in 1929 , she was 83 years old

 

 

Necrology

Glencairn

Saturday, 09 March 2013

March 7, 2013 : Sister Evelyn Glynn was born in 1929 in Knockvicar, Co. Roscommon (Ireland). She entered Glencairn in 1957 and made her solemn profession in 1962. Sister was 83 years old and had been in monastic vows for 53 years when the Lord called her.

Sr. Evelyn Glynn, OCSO                   Glencairn                                           7^th March 2013

Sr. Evelyn (Kathleen) Glynn was born in Knockvicar, Boyle, Co.Roscommon on 3^rd June 1929.  She was blessed, throughout her life, by a devoted and loving family.  Inheriting her musical talents from her mother, she studied in England and obtained a Licentiate from the Guild Hall of Music, London, and a second Diploma from Trinity College of Music, London.  She taught music in England for a time, returned to Dublin but then went back to England where she continued to teach.  While in England, she read Thomas Merton’s ‘Elected Silence’ which so impressed her that she asked to enter the Cistercian monastery of Stapehill, Dorset.  There she was advised to go to Glencairn, which she did, entering here in September 1957.  She made First Profession on 27^th December 1959, and Solemn Profession exactly three years later.

During her early years in Glencairn, she worked on the poultry farm for a while, also helping in the garden and doing some work in the community and guesthouse kitchens.  Artistic as well as musical, she was also responsible for the floral decorations for feasts and celebrations. She was appointed Choir Mistress in the late 1960’s, in time for the changes that followed Vatican II.  To change from the Latin Gregorian chant, to what was known as ‘the vernacular’ was an enormous undertaking for the community, and it was Evelyn with her beautiful accompaniments and knowledge of music, who guided us into new tones, antiphons, hymns, using the best material she could find.  It was a long and difficult process, unlearning the old and learning the new, but it succeeded, largely thanks to her expertise and lovely organ playing.  She also composed some music that we continue to use in the Liturgy.

Never very robust, as she grew older her health and eyesight gradually began to fail, and she became less able to accompany the Divine Office or work.  Eventually, at her own request, she transferred to the Conna Nursing Home, where she received professional and caring attention to all her needs.  She was visited frequently by Glencairn Sisters, and supplied with whatever she requested, including a keyboard.  In February she contracted a virus that greatly depleted her energy and left her very depressed.  As her condition worsened, she was taken to Cork University Hospital, where again she received excellent care, members of the community taking turns in staying with her.  She went peacefully to the Lord at 6.15 p.m. on Friday, 7^th March, 2013, to join the Heavenly Choirs. 

The parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32) - Art Essay

MAGNIFICAT com February 2013

  

I believe in the forgiveness of sins   

1. The parable of the prodigal son (Lk 15:11-32) is often read as evoking the destiny of Israel (the elder son, faithful) and of the pagan nations (the prodigal son, pardoned). This theme was one of Guercino’s favorite subjects. In this version, however, which is intent on communicating the teaching of the recent Council of Trent about the sacrament of confession, the painter does not hesitate to take some liberty with the Gospel text. Here Guercino depicts a prodigal son, a serious sinner certainly, but the image of a good Catholic who goes to confession with sincere contrition, weeping over his sin in the arms of divine mercy. At first his tears are those of remorse, but soon they become tears of happiness at being reconciled with God and at regaining his place as an active member of the Church.
2. On the literal level, this parable presents us rather with the figure of a hardened sinner, even including the motives for his returning home: the prodigal son decides to return not because he finally renounces his dissolute life, but because he lacks the means to sustain it any longer. He does not experience contrition, but rather a trivial attrition, for his firm resolution is not so much to convert as to keep from starving to death. Nonetheless, during the course of his pilgrimage back to his paternal homeland, we can imagine the stirrings of a true conversion at work in his soul. In any event, not only does his father run forth and tenderly embrace him, not only does he re-establish his dignity as son and heir, but he goes so far as to mobilize his whole Kingdom for a feast in his honour! The supreme love of the Father is ever on the lookout for his wayward children, eager to welcome them back home. Now, let us consider our own cruelty when we force his infinite tenderness to spend an eternity, so to speak, watching and waiting for us to return from the land of sin…
3. In this Year of Faith, when we profess, “I believe in the forgiveness of sins and in life everlasting,” let us be guided by this parable, toward a keener understanding of what the forgiveness of sins means in the Father’s plan of divine mercy.
     Pierre-Marie Dumont.

 The Return of the Prodigal Son (detail), Giovanni Francesco Barbieri, called Guercino (1591-1666), Diocesan Museum, Wloclawek, Poland.

© Alinari / The Bridgeman Art Library.