“A negative mind will never give you a positive life.” — Anonymous.
RCIA Cycle A readings are proclaimed, and the Second Scrutiny is celebrated.
The man born blind is healed of his blindness and given his sight. Jesus also gives him spiritual sight to believe in the Son of Man.
The Cycle C readings bless us with one of the most important descriptions of God our Father through the eyes of Jesus.
This is a God, our Father, who loves without conditions. This is a God, our Father, who forgives and accepts even the slightest sign of a return or change of heart.
This is a God, our Father, who is deeply concerned with the condition of our spirit and will do anything to revive us, bring us back to life, help us to find healing and peace.
In the readings, not only does this father give everything to his younger son who squanders it all, but when he comes to his senses and returns home, the father rejoices and pours out his love to his son.
Likewise, when his older son is jealous, angry and resentful, this father goes out to him. He reasons and explains the need to forgive and does everything he can to restore peace, love, joy, acceptance, care, and openness to his son.
Both sons, in some sense, were dead; they lost some important things deep within their spirit. Both went to a place within that had closed them off and left them less.
This father cared for and loved his sons. This father was willing to give and forgive. This father not only gave them life when they came into this world, but also gave them life when they lost it and couldn’t seem to find their way back.
This is a description of a God, our Father, that we cannot miss and should not misinterpret.
We must get this! We must hear this! We must discover our Father and let his love heal and always welcome us back and give us life, life eternal.
This is not so much the story of the prodigal son as it is the story of the Father of endless and unconditional love.
This is Our Father!
Father Perry D. Leiker is pastor of St. Bernard Church. Reach him at (323) 255-6142, Ext. 112; email perry.leiker@gmail.com. Follow Father Perry on Twitter: @MrDeano76.
