11 March, Saturday — Rejoicing over the Lost and Found

Saturday of the 2^nd Week of Lent

Mic 7:14-15,18-20
Lk 15:1-3,11-32

“…your brother here was dead and has come to life; he was lost and is found.”

The prodigal son is one of my favourite parables. It gives us so much hope that even when we have disappointed and offended our Heavenly Father, He is still ever ready to receive us back into His arms. 

We often focus on the prodigal son, but we skim over the reaction of his brother. He was angry, maybe a little hurt, that his father would celebrate the return of a ne’er-do-well brother. In his mind, he never received any special treatment from his father, but his brother received a fattened calf upon squandering his inheritance! How unjust! NOT so.

The hardworking son didn’t take into account that he alone had the blessing of being in his father’s presence all this time. He had a share in his father’s home, access to his father at all times. We often forget the blessings that we have and focus on the seemingly more enticing blessing of others. 

If we focus too much on the apparent good things in others’ lives, we will miss the blessing in our lives. I don’t remember who wrote the following, but I read it a long time ago and would like to share this with you, especially during Lent.

When your car broke down, and you have to walk miles to the nearest gas station, be thankful;
For the paraplegic person would love to have the chance to walk one mile.

When you had a bad day at work, be thankful;
For the unemployed person would love to have a job to support his family.

When you are tired and your young children are crying; be thankful;
For the mother who lost her child would love to hold her child once again.

The above is meant to encourage you to be thankful in all situations.  Remember that you are loved; our Heavenly Father wants the best for us.  Sometimes what we want is not best for us, but Our Heavenly Father, in His infinite wisdom, knows best. 

So instead of jealousy of the love our Father has for those who were lost, let us rejoice that they are found. For we all were once lost…and now we are found.

(Today’s OXYGEN by Winnie Kung)

Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, help us to have the grace to rejoice over those who are lost but are now found. Let us remember the blessings that You have showered upon us and be thankful.

Thanksgiving: Dearest Lord, thank you for Your mercy and for never giving up on us.