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Fall silent
and return to the Father
Week 4
Opening Prayer
+ O God, reconcile me to yourself in a wonderful way
as I fall silent before you now.
Scripture
…After a few days, the younger son…set off to a distant country where he squandered his inheritance on a life of dissipation…and he found himself in dire need. …He thought, ‘How many of my father’s hired workers have more than enough food to eat, but here am I, dying from hunger?’ So he got up and went back to his father. 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. His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called
your son.’ But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. …Let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’(cf. Luke 15.1-3,11-32)
Meditation
To help prepare children for the sacrament of Reconciliation, I’ve encouraged them to remember A-B-C-D. Admit what you’ve done wrong, Be sorry, Confess it (out loud), and Do penance to show you are ready to change. The younger son in this parable certainly demonstrates ABCD as he goes through the process of reconciliation.
For me, the hardest part can be to Admit. The younger son had hit rock bottom. His wrong choices had resulted in terrible outcomes for him. He admitted the obvious. My sins may not be so dramatic, but they are sins nonetheless. And I’m pretty good at rationalizing. “That wasn’t so bad,” or “I really didn’t mean it,” or “Well, others have done worse.” I can be much like the older brother in the parable!
It doesn’t matter how great or small the sins; none are insignificant. I need Reconciliation. I need to fall silent to those voices in me that minimize my wrong-doing. Instead of, “I turned away from my Father - sort of,” I need to admit that I did turn away. When I truly listen to the voice of the Spirit I see the real dimension of my failings, and I feel real sorrow. I know that confessing may be hard to do, but I can be reassured by that image of the loving father with arms outstretched, ready to welcome me back. And in that silence I can ask for courage to commit to doing what’s needed to change.
- Julie Niemeyer, Sacramental Prep, Waterloo Catholic Faith Formation/Sacred Heart Parish
Reflection
1) How do I relate to each person mentioned in this parable? Do I connect more with one person?
2) When have I found myself running away from God, and how did I run? What caused me to do this?
3) When have I found myself reaching out to God?
4) What graces do I need from God to Fall Silent and return home?
5) How does it feel to be embraced by a loving Father?
Closing Prayer
Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. From all my distress, you save me. From all my fear, you deliver me. I fall silent...loved. +
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