The Prodigal Son

The Gospel for Laetare Sunday is on the Prodigal Son. In a way, I empathize with all three members of the story, which is kind of the point. On one hand, I feel like the runaway son, who misuses God's gifts all too often. I've also been the elder son, wondering why some people seem to have it so easy.

Finally, though, when it comes to the Church and how I feel about it in general, I feel like the Father. If it's that sometimes I sound angry, or feel like a dog chewing on the same bone. I'm still watching, gazing in the distance, hoping for that day when we can all sit together at one feast table. When we can put aside the petty rivalries and animosities, and just love each other. Even if that day will never come. If it ever does I'll be there more than happy to just forget all those stupid things that don't even matter.

That's why - and I don't even know how to phrase this - excommunicating people as a political ploy. We say oops. We say well ... both sides made mistakes. And if only the other person would repent and stop doing <blank> Are we so sure Jesus Himself is so angry with that person?

It's not just funny - haha. It's not just - oops. Jesus said Judge not lest ye be judged. He didn't say - unless you're the pope, or unless you're a cardinal or a bishop. One day there will be a reckoning. And I don't believe people are necessarily going to go to hell for that.

But I'm sure that one day, those who acted with pride will have to look at the person they rejected and realize that they will have to spend forever with this person knowing that when the time came they chose not to help. For all eternity, we'll know who stuck it out and went the extra mile, who did the right thing, and who just couldn't be bothered. We'll know in ourselves. In fact, we know it right now.