4th Sunday of Lent Year C Homily

This Sunday is one of rejoicing for Lent is now half over and we are being given a small glimpse into the hope and joy which will enter into the world through our celebration of Easter. Each of our readings pick up this theme of rejoicing for that which we long for has finally been brought to its completion.

The book of Joshua recounts the celebration of the Passover meal within the land which had been promised to them. In order for them to get to this promised land they had to move throughout the desert for a period of 40 years. While in the desert they would cry out to God that they were hungry and it would of been better for them if they had returned to their slavery within Egypt. Despite their rejection of God and their lack of trust in Him they were fed food which came down from Heaven and from this nourishment they were moved onwards towards the Promised Land. Now within the promised Land they are able to partake of this Passover meal and rejoice for all that God has done for them.

Within the Gospel of Saint Luke we receive the parable of the prodigal son which insures us of God’s immense love and compassion. The prodigal son turns away from the Father’s infinite love, but while on this path towards damnation he comes to embrace the path of conversion. He abandons his father’s house and enters into a period of misery which leads him through humiliation as he is forced to lower himself to feed the swine. As he reflects on all that he had lost he returns to the Father’s love and compassion. He can only do this because he had entered into a period of repentance which moved him back to the Father’s love. Once he returned to his father he was embraced in love and was given a beautiful robe and a festive celebration which are all pointing to the fact that the prodigal son had entered into new life.

We cannot forget about the older brother because he had already shut his heart off from the Father through his hardened heart. If he desires to be reconciled with his father then he too needs to pass through a period of conversion and in return be reconciled with his father. Once this conversion takes place he too will be able to rejoice for in the words of 2nd Corinthians: “Christ has entrusted us to the ministry of reconciliation.”

Therefore, my brothers and sisters in Christ may we reflect on the many ways in which we have hardened our hearts to the abundant love of God. Through a heart, which is hardened, we are unable to see our rejection of God and His love for us. It is the sin of pride which blinds us in these moments as it came to blind the older son within our Gospel. As we continue this Lenten journey may we take this small glimpse into Easter to heart and desire to truly rejoice once we get there. We can only rejoice with the Father if we are willing to cast off the sin which leaves us blind to the Father’s love.

The goal of the Israelites was the Promised Land as our goal is the Promised Land which is the Kingdom of Heaven. In order to get there we must pass through this earthly life, but we do not have to do so alone. Let us instead trust in the Father’s mercy and entrust ourself to Christ who is present with us in the Eucharist. Bread came down from Heaven in order that the Israelites may pass into the Promised Land and thus Christ continues to pour Himself out to us in the form of bread and wine in order that we may rejoice with Him for all eternity within the Kingdom of Heaven.