Saturday, March 6 Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
The Pharisees equated a successful spiritual life, and consequential appropriate life in God, by the degree to which one adhered to the Mosaic Law. Sin was equated with one who was not adhering to the Law, and it was the social practice to avoid those whom Hebrew society perceived to be sinners (law-breakers.) It was inconceivable for the Pharisees to comprehend why Jesus would intentionally minister to this “type” of person. Per this set of laws, the passing on of an inheritance to a son was one of the most important life events one would experience and it was felt that this would affect the son’s life for the remainder of his days. The “prodigal son” squandered this inheritance on food, drink and prostitutes. He could not have sinned more heartily against his father’s house and name. Yet the father, with great joy at the return of his very humbled son brings him back into his house. Jesus teaches that all of us are “the prodigal son.” No one is worthy of heaven yet our Father desires greatly that we should humbly “come back home.” With each person’s return to their Father “all the angels in heaven rejoice.”
3rd Sunday of Lent, March 7 John 2:13-25
No one truly knows how much time their walk on earth will last. The Galileans who were slaughtered did not know. Those eighteen killed when the tower of Siloam fell on them did not know. Those who lost their lives on 9-11, 2004 Tsunami, and the earthquake in Haiti did not know it was their final day.
We all arrived with special God-given talents and gifts. A motivational speaker once said, “Do not die with your music still in you.” You are the only one on this planet that can make the difference “you” were meant to make. Do you have one more year left to finally implement God’s plan for you, like the fig tree? Some will say I am just “me”. Your spiritual path is as unique as you. Just like your GPS helps you to find your way on life’s highways and waterways, you have an EGS, (Emotional Guidance System). When you take a wrong turn, your GPS says “recalculating”. The best part about the life God has given you is with your EGS you can recalculate at any time and get back on the path, God’s path for you.
Karen Timmons