The Gospel
Luke 15:1‑3, 11‑32
The Prodigal Son
St. Gaspar
"Oh soul, redeemed by the most precious Blood of Jesus the redeemer, at this point, lift up your thoughts and realize that this ineffable benefit and august mystery, together with incarnation of the Son of God, was a flaming outburst of love: “he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”[1] His submission to so many pains and trials was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself of Calvary. It was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself entirely in the Eucharistic banquet. It was a flaming outburst of love for him to find his delight in us miserable creatures: “rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race,”[2] and that burning wish of his for our eternal salvation in the beloved homeland of heaven. Oh soul, plunge yourself deeply into these moving thoughts and you cannot help but repeat with the Apostle: “The love of Christ impels us!”[3] It is not so much what Jesus suffered as it is the love that he demonstrated in his suffering for us that obliges us and even forces us to love him in return."[4]
Ultimately, let us be united evermore with God the giver of every good gift. May his grace and his love inflame us and raise us to the most intimate love for him. Let us love him without measure, let us love him without reserve, let us love him without failing, since he is in essence love. I leave you now in the divine heart! Oh what a sweet abode.[5]
Reflection
This is a father who delights in showing mercy. Twice he leaves his house to bestow extravagant love to his children. If he had stayed home he would have had one dead child and one ungrateful servant. Instead he wanted two sons. So he does the unexpected. He sees a sinful child still far off and he is filled with compassion. Not waiting for the child to come to him, he goes first, to protect him from the judgment of those who condemn sinners, and second to bestow gifts of mercy, freedom and honor. For the second son he leaves the celebration to make clear that the invitation is to sinners, to those who because of pride remain distant, and to those on the outside who do not feel welcome at the feast. It is Jesus who has left the house of heaven, and is outside with us, inviting us and all sinners to the life he came to give. And to make clear that there is nothing that will separate us from the love of God.
St. Gaspar wants us to experience this immeasurable generosity of God. He adds words like "ineffable benefit," "august mystery," and "flaming outburst" to describe the inexpressible Love of God. He wants us to experience the depths of this love that we might learn to love without measure.
[1] Phil 2:7
[2] Prov. 8:31
[3] 2 Cor 5:14
[4] from Letter No. 57 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, April 14, 1813, Resource 4, pg. 22
[5] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, May 18, 1826, Letter 1414, Resources 11, pg. 3
Luke 15:1‑3, 11‑32
The Prodigal Son
St. Gaspar
"Oh soul, redeemed by the most precious Blood of Jesus the redeemer, at this point, lift up your thoughts and realize that this ineffable benefit and august mystery, together with incarnation of the Son of God, was a flaming outburst of love: “he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave”[1] His submission to so many pains and trials was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself of Calvary. It was a flaming outburst of love to leave himself entirely in the Eucharistic banquet. It was a flaming outburst of love for him to find his delight in us miserable creatures: “rejoicing in his inhabited world and delighting in the human race,”[2] and that burning wish of his for our eternal salvation in the beloved homeland of heaven. Oh soul, plunge yourself deeply into these moving thoughts and you cannot help but repeat with the Apostle: “The love of Christ impels us!”[3] It is not so much what Jesus suffered as it is the love that he demonstrated in his suffering for us that obliges us and even forces us to love him in return."[4]
Ultimately, let us be united evermore with God the giver of every good gift. May his grace and his love inflame us and raise us to the most intimate love for him. Let us love him without measure, let us love him without reserve, let us love him without failing, since he is in essence love. I leave you now in the divine heart! Oh what a sweet abode.[5]
Reflection
This is a father who delights in showing mercy. Twice he leaves his house to bestow extravagant love to his children. If he had stayed home he would have had one dead child and one ungrateful servant. Instead he wanted two sons. So he does the unexpected. He sees a sinful child still far off and he is filled with compassion. Not waiting for the child to come to him, he goes first, to protect him from the judgment of those who condemn sinners, and second to bestow gifts of mercy, freedom and honor. For the second son he leaves the celebration to make clear that the invitation is to sinners, to those who because of pride remain distant, and to those on the outside who do not feel welcome at the feast. It is Jesus who has left the house of heaven, and is outside with us, inviting us and all sinners to the life he came to give. And to make clear that there is nothing that will separate us from the love of God.
St. Gaspar wants us to experience this immeasurable generosity of God. He adds words like "ineffable benefit," "august mystery," and "flaming outburst" to describe the inexpressible Love of God. He wants us to experience the depths of this love that we might learn to love without measure.
- How can I be less judgmental of other sinners?
- What must I do accept this extravagant love for myself, too?
- What fires me up?
[1] Phil 2:7
[2] Prov. 8:31
[3] 2 Cor 5:14
[4] from Letter No. 57 to Countess Lucrezia Ginnasi, April 14, 1813, Resource 4, pg. 22
[5] to Mother Maria Nazzarena De Castris, May 18, 1826, Letter 1414, Resources 11, pg. 3
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