24th Sunday in Ordinary Time Year C - 11/9/2016 - Gospel: 15:1-32
Being Lost
From time to time we experience losing something. Loosing things happen to both adults and children and it extends to animals too. In general we can talk about two common kinds of loss. They are physical loss and mental loss.
Physical loss means losing something tangible or something that comes from within or attaches to a person. Things that are being lost from within a person include losing control of one's own temper or recalling an event or naming of another person. Sickness and carelessness can cause us to have a poor vision or losing skills and loss of appetite. Things that are being lost outside of a person are sentimental gifts and the belongings and directions.
Mental loss includes memory and forgetful and loss of faith. It includes loss of one own identities and feelings and friendships and things that surround a person. Losing confidence and hope and trust in humanity and in God.
It is heartbreak and devastation that affect one's mind and heart for a long time when a person loses someone whom they love. This is the experience of the father in today's Gospel. For the world the father simply has lost a son but for the father he actually has lost more than just his younger son. First, the father had no other choice than to grant his son's request to half his property for his son. The second loss is that his son has lost the way of life his father had taught him. It made him feel that he was a successful businessman but a failed family man. The next two losses are much more personal and more painful for the father. Leaving home is a direct attack of the father's integrity and the love he has for his sons. It means the father has failed to show his love and trust for his son. The relationships between the father and son had broken down to a level that was beyond amendable. The most important loss for the father was that the son has gone down the path that would lead him to lose faith in God and eternal life.
The father has experienced many losses but he has never lost hope or shown his anger and resentment towards his sons. He had a strong hope that one day he would again see his son returning home. He was in the mood of patiently waiting in hope and hopeful waiting to celebrate with great joy. We don't know what made his hope strong and firm. Probably his love for his son was much stronger than his son's mistake- leaving him and betrayed his trust and love. His love for his son was more important than wealth- half of his property. The father had quietly prepared to welcome his son back. It was an extraordinary act of kindness and forgiveness. The father strongly believed that one day his son would come to his senses and returned home. To prepare for the grand celebration the father had fattened the cow for that purpose. He had made new shoes and suits waiting for his son returned. When everything was ready, day after day he was waiting in the front door to welcome his son back. His love and mercy finally won his son back as expected. God's love and mercy opens to welcome us all.
Physical loss means losing something tangible or something that comes from within or attaches to a person. Things that are being lost from within a person include losing control of one's own temper or recalling an event or naming of another person. Sickness and carelessness can cause us to have a poor vision or losing skills and loss of appetite. Things that are being lost outside of a person are sentimental gifts and the belongings and directions.
Mental loss includes memory and forgetful and loss of faith. It includes loss of one own identities and feelings and friendships and things that surround a person. Losing confidence and hope and trust in humanity and in God.
It is heartbreak and devastation that affect one's mind and heart for a long time when a person loses someone whom they love. This is the experience of the father in today's Gospel. For the world the father simply has lost a son but for the father he actually has lost more than just his younger son. First, the father had no other choice than to grant his son's request to half his property for his son. The second loss is that his son has lost the way of life his father had taught him. It made him feel that he was a successful businessman but a failed family man. The next two losses are much more personal and more painful for the father. Leaving home is a direct attack of the father's integrity and the love he has for his sons. It means the father has failed to show his love and trust for his son. The relationships between the father and son had broken down to a level that was beyond amendable. The most important loss for the father was that the son has gone down the path that would lead him to lose faith in God and eternal life.
The father has experienced many losses but he has never lost hope or shown his anger and resentment towards his sons. He had a strong hope that one day he would again see his son returning home. He was in the mood of patiently waiting in hope and hopeful waiting to celebrate with great joy. We don't know what made his hope strong and firm. Probably his love for his son was much stronger than his son's mistake- leaving him and betrayed his trust and love. His love for his son was more important than wealth- half of his property. The father had quietly prepared to welcome his son back. It was an extraordinary act of kindness and forgiveness. The father strongly believed that one day his son would come to his senses and returned home. To prepare for the grand celebration the father had fattened the cow for that purpose. He had made new shoes and suits waiting for his son returned. When everything was ready, day after day he was waiting in the front door to welcome his son back. His love and mercy finally won his son back as expected. God's love and mercy opens to welcome us all.
Written by Fr Vũđình Tường
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia
St Francis Xavier Catholic Parish
Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane Australia