The Prodigal Son - 3

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So, two lost sons learning how to return home, learning how to love - one son learning how to love responsibly, the other son learning how to let himself be loved. Most importantly both must learn what it means to be a son - to learn love and respect and responsibility. This is after all what it means for each of us to be children of the God who is love beyond measure - we must relish all the love lavished upon us and love in return. 

We remember some years ago chatting with a wizened old missionary; he had worked for years in Belize. On the road constantly in his dilapidated jeep; numerous Masses at different mission stations all day on a Sunday and often having to transport sick Mayan children to the hospital in the middle of the night during the week. He had so many stories; finally, he smiled and said, “You know, there's one thing Saint Paul didn’t say about love - it’s also very often quite inconvenient!”

 What could we add from our own experience? Love is self-forgetful; love is always toward the other. Love by its nature longs to express itself; it is not neat and tidy; it cannot be contained. What is more, love longs to be loved in return. Love is not self-sufficient but in need of the other. When we love, we are vulnerable, easily hurt, easily elated. How amazing then that God is love.

 Photograph by Brother Brian.

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