Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent year A

Theme: A loving and merciful father

In the two readings we have today, two very important things that come into play is the fact that we serve a loving and merciful father. In the 1st reading from the prophet Micah, after acknowledging the fact that the people have derailed from the path of God, he pleaded for the mercy of God. Trusting in the loving mercy of God for his people. Interestingly, God is the same yesterday, today and forever, he does not change. Thus, we are all encouraged in a very special way today to humble ourselves and go to God like the prophet Micah and beg for his pardon and forgiveness, for the times we have derailed from the path of God. It is also important to note that there is no sin that we may have committed that is beyond the loving mercy of our God. What we need is sincere repentance, and we go to him for pardon and mercy. God’s love for us supersedes our human failings, so he is ever ready to show us his mercy and compassion, when we go to him with a sincere heart like the prodigal son in today’s gospel reading.

The action of the prodigal son in the gospel reading of today, shows us sincere repentance, having had a very difficult time in his sojourn in a far away place. The reception that was given to the prodigal son that returned home with nothing, says a lot about the loving mercy of our father. Many of us would have reacted like the elder brother did, but the father handled it differently. He was more concerned about the fact that he had gotten back his son that was once lost. This is exactly the joy of God when we retrace our steps sincerely and return to him, seeking his mercy and forgiveness. Never at any point in time feel that your sins cannot be forgiven by God, no matter whatever you may have done. The most important thing is remorse and sincere repentance, and God will gladly welcome us back and forgive us our sins.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, the season of Lent presents us the opportunity to make things right with God, drop all the works of darkness in our lives, and embrace the light, Jesus Christ, our loving and merciful father. It is never too late for us to embrace what is good and right, you can begin it immediately. May the Lord bless his words in our hearts, in the name of the father and of the son and of the holy spirit. Amen. Peace be with you.

Saturday of the 2nd week of Lent year A, by Fr. Jude Ifeanyi Ifezime, C.S.Sp