Compassionate Christ
This week, we looked ahead to Laetare Sunday - the 4th Sunday of Lent - also known as Mothering Sunday. At the halfway point through our Lenten observance, it is an opportunity to rejoice in our achievements so far and renew our enthusiasm for the journey towards Holy Week.
We encounter the famous parable of the Prodigal Son in this week's Gospel. It offers the model for the Catholic sacrament of Reconciliation: we sin, we examine our conscience and come to our senses, we return to our father and admit our fault, we are welcomed back home with open arms - we are forgiven. It is no accident that the children preparing for their First Holy Communion will be celebrating their First Reconciliation this coming weekend. We keep them in our prayers.