I WILL ARISE
Image from: The Waiting Father: Thoughts on the Prodigal Son | A Lesson Learned (edhart.me)
(LUKE 15: 1-3.11-32)
Today's gospel presents to us the
story of the son who wasted the riches of His Father. We also saw the first son
who wished the prodigal son dead. Then, we have the image of the loving Father
who is rich in mercy.
The truth is that the prodigal
son went too far. The realistic first son was the one who was vocal about his
wastefulness. He should not be allowed into the house again. He disowned his
father. He wished him dead. He cut himself off from Him. He made himself the
measure of all things. He was blinded by
wealth, by lust, by satisfying the flesh, by the desire to explore, by trying
to check out, by experimenting life outside regulations, by quest for freedom.
He went out, left the Father's
hand of grace and plunged himself into all forms of disgrace. They held him
down. They dragged him to the mud. They pulled him down. He was totally sapped.
He lost everything. The hero came to zero level. The prince lost his rings. His
identity disappeared. He came down to an unimaginable and unbelievable level.
He was tattered, hungry and ashamed.
But that was not the end of the
story. He learnt from his experience. He compared life in grace and life
outside of grace. It brings us to comparison between life in grace and life out
of grace. The difference is clear. He came to his senses. He took a serious
decision. He made a resolution to rise and make a move back to the Father's
house. And, indeed, the Father did welcome him in a grand style.
Dearest beloved in the Lord, what
is holding you down? What is keeping you away from going higher in virtue and
grace? You have moved out of grace, yes! You still want to go back to God,
true! But who and what is frustrating your effort to rise up to God?
Strike your heart this Holy
Season of returning to God and tell yourself: I will arise!
Arise child of God. Rise from
that mistake. Rise from that failure. Rise from that committee of bad friends.
Arise and leave those gossipers and deceivers. Rise from that sin. Rise from
that bed of atrocities. Sleep no more.
Do not allow this period to slip off from your hand. Do not stay far away from
the house of God this time. Do not think you've gathered enough grace that you
don't need more. Do not think you are no longer in need of spiritual
assistance. Do not think that because everything is okay now you can go on
spiritual holiday
Arise! Practice virtues, pray more, suppress
the flesh and its desires. Lift up your heart to God in faith. The Lord will
receive you. He waits to embrace and bless you. Don't let the guilt and weight
of your sin to weigh you down. To err is human, to forgive is divine. Will it
dear; You will rise again.
LET US PRAY
We thank You Lord for Your
readiness and willingness to raise us again and again. Help us not to abuse
Your grace and mercy. May we rise again, may our families rise again. May the
Church rise. May our fallen country rise. May we rise in faith, hope and
charity. May we rise with Christ at the resurrection morning where with You and
the Holy Spirit we shall praise You with joy for ever and ever. Amen
God bless your Saturday (2nd Week
of Lent)
Rev Fr Julian O Ekeh
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