The Church gives us three parables to contemplate which reply to the allegation made by the scribes and Pharisees against Jesus that: "This fellow welcomes sinners and eats with them." (Lk 15: 2) The first two portray the divine as active: "... go after the one that is lost until he finds it" (Lk 15: 4) and "search carefully until she finds it." (Lk 15: 8) The third parable, by contrast, has the father of the Prodigal patiently waiting for his son to return. It is only when he comes into sight that: "... his father saw him and was filled with compassion; he ran put his arms around him and kissed him." (Lk 15: 20) This gives us pause for thought regarding grace in our own lives. For, it is at Mass today that Jesus welcomes us sinners, which we acknowledge in praying the Confiteor, and gives us to eat and drink of the Holy Eucharist. How is it that I am still practicing my faith, despite all the vicissitudes of life and the secularization of society? Did I choose God or did God choose me? Did I find God or did God find me? Ultimately, it is all grace, and this is from God who loved me and sent his Son to die for me even while I was still a sinner. Jesus explains: "You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another." (Jn 15: 16-17)
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