How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son in the parable, our sin, the act of turning away from all God provides for us, begins long before we walk into the darkness of our immediate pleasures and our own will. Something within us stirs, causing us to feel a void even while we are still at home in his graces.
Not doing our daily chores, faithfully fulfilling our Father’s will, and seeking to please him in all things become routine because we love what pleases us in the moment more than our good Heavenly Father.
So, we venture out independently, seeking to fulfill that immediate gratification. With each passing gratification, we grow emptier, more unfulfilled, until we remember how good we had it back home.
That memory is the point of turning back to begin the long walk back to our Father. With each step, we become sorrier and more regretful for hurting Him. Notice that our focus has changed from us to our Heavenly Father.
Many take a long time before approaching the Lord in the Sacrament of Confession. Focusing on ourselves only produces guilt. When we change our focus from ourselves to the Lord, he fills our hearts with sorrow. Then, we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of his mercy.
Gospel Challenge: What a beautiful gift is that sorrow. That’s what Jesus feels for us until he absolves us from our sins. Then comes the open arms. Then comes the fatted calf, the ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet. These are all expressions of our Father’s joy that His child has come home, a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Let’s all hasten to the Sacrament of Mercy, for it is there that we find the balm for our wounded souls, the forgiveness that sets us free. Let’s all get to the Sacrament of Mercy.
December 2, 2025, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! Throughout His life, Jesus had one human person with whom He shared a very similar
November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Let your light shine! Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you
,November 29, 2025, Luke 21:34-36https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112925.cfm The End Times – A New Beginning. Jesus teaches us that the great tribulation, bringing havoc to our world and
November 27, 2025, Luke 17:11-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112725-Thanksgiving.cfm For what are you thankful? We are truly grateful to have a day to thank God for all His
Father Rick’s Two Minute Homily for Saturday, 2nd Week in Lent
March 22, 2025, Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/032225.cfm
Home at Last.
How heart-wrenching it is to stray from our Father’s loving embrace. Like the younger son in the parable, our sin, the act of turning away from all God provides for us, begins long before we walk into the darkness of our immediate pleasures and our own will. Something within us stirs, causing us to feel a void even while we are still at home in his graces.
Not doing our daily chores, faithfully fulfilling our Father’s will, and seeking to please him in all things become routine because we love what pleases us in the moment more than our good Heavenly Father.
So, we venture out independently, seeking to fulfill that immediate gratification. With each passing gratification, we grow emptier, more unfulfilled, until we remember how good we had it back home.
That memory is the point of turning back to begin the long walk back to our Father. With each step, we become sorrier and more regretful for hurting Him. Notice that our focus has changed from us to our Heavenly Father.
Many take a long time before approaching the Lord in the Sacrament of Confession. Focusing on ourselves only produces guilt. When we change our focus from ourselves to the Lord, he fills our hearts with sorrow. Then, we approach Jesus in the Sacrament of his mercy.
Gospel Challenge:
What a beautiful gift is that sorrow. That’s what Jesus feels for us until he absolves us from our sins. Then comes the open arms. Then comes the fatted calf, the ring on our finger, and sandals on our feet. These are all expressions of our Father’s joy that His child has come home, a joy that surpasses all understanding.
Let’s all hasten to the Sacrament of Mercy, for it is there that we find the balm for our wounded souls, the forgiveness that sets us free. Let’s all get to the Sacrament of Mercy.
Love Your Neighbor!
Fr. Rick Pilger, IC
www.bscchurch.com
Share:
More Posts
Fr. Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Tuesday, 1st Week of Advent
December 2, 2025, Luke 10:21-24 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/120225.cfm INTIMACY LEADS TO TRUST! Throughout His life, Jesus had one human person with whom He shared a very similar
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for 1st Sunday in Advent, Cycle A
November 30, 2025, Matthew 24:37-44 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/113025.cfm Let your light shine! Have you ever walked away from your car and wondered if you locked it? Did you
Father Rick’s Two-Minute Homily for Saturday, 34th Week in Ordinary Time
,November 29, 2025, Luke 21:34-36https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112925.cfm The End Times – A New Beginning. Jesus teaches us that the great tribulation, bringing havoc to our world and
Father Rick’s Gospel Reflection for Thanksgiving Day
November 27, 2025, Luke 17:11-19 https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/112725-Thanksgiving.cfm For what are you thankful? We are truly grateful to have a day to thank God for all His
Categories
Send Us A Message