"Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I no longer deserve to be called your son; treat me as you would treat one of your hired workers." So he got up and went back to his father, While he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him, and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him. Luke 15:18-20
I recall a Children's Mass which my husband and I witnessed something beautiful. The Second Reading was to be read by one of the children, a young boy, who looked like he might be ten years old. The boy stood up to the microphone, looked at the Reading and said, "A Reading from the Letter of Saint Paul." Than he looked up at the people in the church, dropped his head and froze. The adult lector stood by trying to encourage him, but the young boy was frozen in fear. Out of the crowd, came the little boy's father. He stood next to his son, put his arm around him and the father read the Reading. After the Reading, the father scooped up the little boy in his arms and returned to their seats.
After the Gospel, the priest, our pastor, gathered the children in front of the altar for the homily. He told the children that priests and deacons give homilies and preach God's Word. He said that Saint Francis said, "Preach always. If necessary, use words."
Then the priest asked the children how they can pray without using words. He said they can pray with their actions. He went on to say that we saw God's action at the Second Reading today. He said when we are faced with a challenge, God always sends someone to help us. God will never leave us alone.
The priest said that during the Stations of the Cross, God sent people to help Jesus. God sent Mary, His Mother to comfort Him, He sent Simon of Cyrene to help Him carry the Cross and He sent Veronica to wipe His face with a cloth. They came out of the crowd to comfort and strengthen Jesus. God took action. He said, today we saw God's action during the Second Reading, in the midst of the challenge, God came forward from the crowd, placed his arm around the little boy and took the necessary action. God the Father ACTS. He will never leave us alone. He comes to us every time we face a challenge, just like the little boy's father came to him.
"Brothers and sisters, you were once in darkness but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth." Ephesians 5:8-9
Ask the Lord how you can be light to others. Ask Him to send you, out of the crowd, to help someone in need.
Today ponder how much the Father loves you. Recall the ways you have turned away from the Father. He never stops looking for you. He is patient, merciful and forgiving. Imagine turning back to Him and He sees you. He runs to you, embraces and kisses you. He is always ready to bring you home into the safety of His embrace. Rest in His love.
"I am the Light of the world, says the Lord; whoever follows Me will have the light of life. John 8:12
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