Usually, the first reading is picked to go with the Gospel. This week the connection appears to be a feast.  The book of Joshua tells of the Israelites coming into the Promised Land, where they no longer needed to be fed with manna as in the desert. They had been wandering much longer than expected because of their unfaithfulness. But now they are forgiven and so celebrate the Passover with food from the land. Then we hear the Gospel parable about another feast. This one is also a celebration of forgiveness, for the prodigal son has returned to his father, and the father’s forgiveness shows us how willing God is to forgive us. That’s where we end the parable, right?

Wrong. The parable continues with the older son’s complaint about a feast for his brother. Did you notice the words of the father that “everything I have is yours” (Luke 15:31)? He’s not just being sentimental because they are family. The younger brother had already taken his inheritance, so whatever was left will one day go to the older one. That son cannot forgive his brother and is angry at the father for welcoming the prodigal back. This is where we come in.

Most of us have no trouble asking God’s forgiveness. But we may have trouble forgiving others. We are so used to thinking in terms of justice that we are not satisfied with forgiveness. When you see an action movie, you don’t want the bad guy to give up and say he’s sorry—you expect him to be destroyed by the good guy, hopefully in a big fight or a spectacular explosion. (Superheroes, however, almost never kill the bad guy.)

So, we have to ask ourselves whose idea of justice we live by. Is it the human expectation of an eye for an eye? Or is it God’s justice, which is mercy and forgiveness? When someone cuts you off in traffic, do you feel like firing the photon torpedoes, or offering forgiveness? The Golden Rule could be “Forgive others as you would be forgiven.” Jesus gave his life for the sins of the world. Do we have the right to ask for more?         – Tom Schmidt, Diocesan Publications

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 SAINT FRANCIS OF PAOLA (1416-1507) – April 2                     

A witness to miracles from a young age, Francis of Paola went on to perform many himself. His parents struggled with infertility, so turned to the intercession of St. Francis of Assisi. Their devout prayers bore them a son, whom they named Francis out of gratitude. As an infant, Francis suffered from swollen eyes and was again healed by his namesake. His parents promised him a friary education, where young Francis voluntarily abstained from meat, practiced solitude, and prayed fervently. After a year, he went on a pilgrimage with his parents to Assisi which deepened his devotion. Upon their return, Francis committed to the life of a hermit, first on family property before moving to a remote cave near the sea. A couple others were inspired by his journey and joined him, forming a small hermitage with a chapel. Over several decades, they expanded to a larger church and monastery as more followers joined. They became known as the Minims Friars, minim meaning least to convey their humility. They valued poverty, chastity, obedience, and later added veganism to their vows. Francis is said to have performed many miracles: prophetic speaking, food appearing from nothing, casting out demons, and raising the dead. Despite a life of solitude, he was sought out by many, popes and kings even calling on him for counsel. In his old age, Francis returned to complete solitude for three months, before passing on Good Friday—   fitting for a life of perpetual Lent. Francis embodied love for God through radical vocation, giving his all in everything he did. While we may not be as radical in our own lives, the same call of love is extended to us today.                            —Meghan McDonagh, Diocesan Publications