Fourth Sunday in Lent March 18, 2007

Joshua 5:9 ‑-12 Psalm: 34: 2 Corinthians 5:17‑-21 Luke 15:1‑-32

Theme: The Lost and Found .

1. The Elder Son became angry and refused to go in. He was filled with bitterness. It seemed so unfair. He had worked like a slave, he had kept every one of his father’s commands. And this is the result !

When put in this manner, so many of us relate to the Elder Son. We feel this especially in our attitude to the New Immigrants. We have worked so hard to get a good Education system, to get a good health care system, to get a good infrastructure, we have paid high taxes. Now these new comers walk in enjoy the full benefits of this heavenly life.

2. Our Gospel highlights the magnanimity and generosity of God. In contrast it paints in stark colours the miserliness and tight fistedness of human beings.

The story is told of the Day of Judgment. A group of people are waiting at Heaven’s gate full of high expectations. They are full of joy. They see old friends, members of various Parish groups. They are not surprised to see them there. They are buzzing with excitement. The next thing they hear is a cheer in the distance. What’s that they ask? Oh, they are told, God has forgiven all, “the others” as well. Like the Elder brother, some are furious. How could God?

After all the sacrifices,

after all the hard work,

after all the tax deductible contributions,

after the long prayers. It seems so unfair.

And then there is a trumpet blast. What was that for? That was the Judgment. Judgment had taken place, and they were still outside Heaven’s gate.

3. Our Gospel is the story of “Lost and Found”. The Scribes and Pharisees are pretty complacent. They have the inside track to salvation. They earned it. It is their right. No one will deprive them of it. In this atmosphere, Jesus tells them three parables of Lost and Found: The parable of the Lost Sheep, the parable of the Lost Coin, and the Parable of the Lost Son. These parables could be subtitled, “the Parable of those “who would include and want to exclude.” Jesus will have no part of that. Jesus is no Bouncer at a Friday night rave party. Jesus is the Messiah. There is salvation for all. The covenant was made with Abraham, whose name meant: “The Father of all nations.” Salvation was open not only to Christians, but to Hindus and Muslims, to Jews and Buddhists and even to those who said they did not believe in God.

4. Our Liturgy of the Word opens with the death of Moses, and with Joshua leading the Jews into the promised land. They are weary and tired. They have been travelling for 40 years. They have been putting up and pulling down tents on a regular basis. Now they can settle in one place, put up more stable residences. They can plough fields, plant trees and vineyards. As of that day, the Manna which had been their food for 40 years, stops.

Now there are other things that must be put in place. They must have a place to worship. The must ratify the covenant by the rite of circumcision. They could not do this on the road as they travelled. It was time to put things right.

We think in a similar manner, some thousands of years later. We are bothered about our children. They are living common law, their marriage should be blessed in the church. Their children should be baptised. They should go regularly to worship with the community. They should keep the commands of God and the church. Things must be put right.

5. These are good and proper things to do. But like the Scribes and Pharisees, we are mistaken if we think that Circumcision or Baptism or keeping the commandments like the Elder Brother did, will gain us heaven. We have totally misread the open attitude of God and the Generosity of God, if we think like either of the Sons in today’s parable. The Younger Son thought he had lost his father’s love and favour by his wild life. The Elder Son thought he had earned his father’s love by working like a slave and keeping every one of his father’s commands. Both were wrong. The Father’s love was always there and would always be there. There was nothing that they could do or fail to do that would affect the constancy and fidelity of the Love of God. It could not be Lost or Found.

6. Paul tells us in the second reading that there is a new creation. We have to be a part of a new vision : God has reconciled everything in Christ. There is a forgiveness for all. It does not depend St. Paul tells us on “counting our trespasses or failings”. The righteousness of God is there constantly. It is there for our taking. All we have to do is

“Come back to God with all our hearts

Long has God waited for our coming back to God

And living deeply a New life.”

Appendix: Something to think about:

What would be the best way for the conversion of sinners.

Should I warn them and threaten them to quit sinning? Or should I run out and greet them with a Hug and a Kiss and welcome them? Would I? Could I? even invite them to my table and have dinner with them - bringing out my best crockery and cutlery? - as did the Father in the parable of the Prodigal son.