“Remembering that the ‘Lantern is always lit for us’ as a sign that ‘You are always welcome Home!'”

(Based on Josh 5:9a, 10-12, 2 Cor 5:17-21 and Lk 15:1-3, 11-32 – 4th Sunday of Lent, Cycle C)

There is an old tradition in some villages where a family would leave a lantern lit in the window…
… for a loved one who had gone away.

Whether it was a son who had left home in rebellion

Or a daughter who had wandered off in search of something more
… the lantern was a silent message: “You are always welcome home.”

One such story is told of a mother whose son had left the house.

Without fail, the old mother would light a lantern and place it in the window.

Neighbors whispered, “He’s gone. He’s not coming back.”

But she never listened.
She just kept the light burning.

Storms raged.
Years passed.
The lantern never wavered.

Then, one night – when hope itself seemed tired – a shadow appeared at the gate. >> Ragged, broken, trembling.

It was him.

He collapsed at the doorstep, tears mixing with the rain.

And as she rushed to embrace him, he choked out the words: “I saw the light…
… and I knew I could come home.”

Isn’t this the story of the ‘prodigal’ our own story?

The Gospel of the Day is the beautiful rendition of this classic: “The Prodigal Son(s)!”

The Parable of the Prodigal Son(s) is perhaps one of…
… the most popular
… the most loved
… the most sentimental….
… and the most meaningful of all the parables in the Gospel.

One of the lasting images that this beautiful parable impresses upon the readers is that of the Loving Father in patient waiting for the return of the son(s).

The son(s) had abandoned the love and protection of the Father.

It could have been because of some misunderstanding
It could have been because of some pride and arrogance
It could have been because of some selfishness and egoism
It could have been because of some immaturity or peer pressure

Whatever be the reason, a rupture had occurred in the beautiful relationship.

The younger son sought to find enjoyment in many worldly pleasures…
… while the Father was left with a seemingly never-ending wait for his beloved!

He drowned himself in the pleasurable waters of enjoyment and gratification…
… while the Father sought to keep floating on the waters of hope and optimism!

The Father kept waiting… and waiting…

Every evening as the sun set… and as the darkness would engulf the land…
… the hopes of the Father would have diminished and a gloom darkened in his mind!
Every morning as the sun arose… and as the bright rays enraptured the land…
… the expectations of the Father would have intensified and a glow lit his heart!
And thus the Father kept waiting and waiting for the son to return.

Finally, when the son returned, the long wait of the outstretched arms of the Father, waiting to embrace his beloved was over…
“… while he was still a long way off, his father caught sight of him and was filled with compassion. He ran to his son, embraced him and kissed him…”( Lk 15: 20)

The Father’s joys knew no bounds!

The son was considered lost…
… the son was considered dead…

But now here he is found…and alive!

What a beautiful picture!

A son who comes back in repentance, clasped in a deep affectionate hug with his father who longed for the return of his beloved!
Our heavenly Father wishes to have this same picture, with each of us!

We have often gone away from the Love of our Heavenly Father…
…. by our sins and disobedience
… by our selfishness and egoism
… by our pride and worldly pleasures
… by our immaturity and misunderstanding

But He now waits in eager expectation and hope for our return to Him…

Shall we not run to the open and outstretched arms of our Blessed Father?

In turn, we are also invited, exhorted and challenged to become “an instrument of forgiveness and reconciliation”

May the forgiving love that we have received from our Heavenly Father be extended and widened to all the people in our life too.

Our Beloved Heavenly Father encourages all of us:
” All is forgiven. I accept you, as you are.

I love you!
Your Father!”
… and thus encourages us “to script the beautiful story of God’s Love and Mercy in our lives!”

Let us always remember, that the “Lantern is always lit for us” as a sign that “You are always welcome Home.”

The world may write you off…
… but Heaven still waits with open arms.

God Bless! Live Jesus!

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📖 Discovering the beauty of the Catholic Church through the Catechism
MAN’S VOCATION LIFE IN THE SPIRIT – GOD’S SALVATION: LAW AND GRACE – The Ten Commandments – The Fourth Commandment

The Fourth Commandment includes and presupposes the duties of parents, instructors, teachers, leaders, magistrates….

…. those who govern, all who exercise authority over others or over a community of persons. (CCC # 2199)